WSP01356 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: COORDINATED FACILITIES WATER AVAILABILITY STUDY FOR THE ENDANGERED FISHES OF THE UPPER COLORADO RIVER The purpose of the Phase I portion of this investigation is to identify several possible alternatives for supplying an average of 20,000 acre-feet per year for recovering the endangered fishes of the Upper Colorado River. This 20,000 acre-feet per year will be in addition to water already provided by other Recovery Implementation Program Recovery Action Plan (RIPRAP) actions and be used for enhancing the spring peak hydrograph flows at the head of the IS-mile reach. The Phase I investigation will provide recommendations for a more detailed and in-depth analysis of a limited number of alternatives, which will be accomplished in Phase 2 of this project. The results of the Phase 2 investigation will be a set of recommended projects for supplying the 20,000 acre-feet per year. Phase I will be completed by the end of 1999 and Phase 2 by the end of 2000. The set of alternatives being considered for supplying the 20,000 acre-feet includes: I. EXDanded Coordinated Reservoir ODerations. This alternative includes reoperation of one or more of the following reservoirs to produce all or part of the 20,000 acre-feet per year while minimizing effects on present water users, A. Green Mountain Reservoir operations. B. Ruedi Reservoir operations. C. Ruedi Reservoir pump back. The Ruedi Reservoir pump back project involves the construction of a pump and pipeline system from Ruedi Reservoir to the Charles H. Boustead Tunnel. In exchange for the water delivered to the east slope via the pump back, a commensurate amount of water would be released or bypassed on the peak hydro graph from one or more facilities including Hornestake, Grizzly Reservoir and the Frying Pan-Arkansas collection. D. CBT west slope facilities operations. There is potential that the CBT Project west slope facilities could be re-operated to provide peak flow enhancement in the IS-mile reach. Granby Reservoir potential spills that are presently conveyed through the Alva B, Adams tunnel could remain in the Colorado River Basin and be used for enhancing spring runoff peak flows, E. Denver Water Facilities and Wolford MOWltain Reservoir. II. Grand Vallev Alternatives. A. Gunnison River transbasin diversion into Orchard Mesa Irrigation District canals and use water saved from reduced Green Mountain Reservoir releases for the endangered fishes. B. Replace Orchard Mesa Irrigation District hydraulic pumps with electric pumps and use water saved from reduced Green Mountain Reservoir releases for the endangered fishes. C. Eliminate Grand Valley Power Plant and use water for the endangered fishes D. Re-analysis of Grand Valley Water Management alternatives originally investigated by the Bureau of Reclamation to determine which ofthese alternatives could be implemented to all or a portion of the 20,000 acre-feet. E. Pump into Grand Valley Irrigation Company (GVIC) system from Colorado River below 15- mile reach and exchange these reduced diversions to storage in Green Mountain Reservoir for later release for the endangered fishes.