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<br />. <br /> <br />Memo to Colorado Water Conservation Board <br />From Peter Evans and E.l.Jencsok <br />December 5, 1995 <br />Re: Endangered Fish Instream Flow Water Rights, "15 Mile Reach," Colo. River <br />Page 4 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The 1970-1992 hydrologic study period was evaluated and it was determined that this <br />period was representative of the 1906-1992 hydrologic period of record, used by the Bureau of <br />Reelamation in its CRSS modeling efforts. The study relied on existing data and used <br />generalized assumptions on the use of water (maximum for the 1990-1992) within each river <br />basin to determine the amount of water which would be physically available in the various river <br />sections under current conditions. <br />CWCB Studies: The Board staff took information from the LRCWE study and included <br />the findings in a report titled "Colorado River - 15 Mile Reach Physical Water Availability <br />Study." This report summarized the results from the LRCWE study and presented flow duration <br />curves for each month of the year using average daily and average monthly flow data. The report <br />also included flow duration curves and table for annual volumes and peak flows. This report was <br />first presented to the Board at its September 1994 meeting. Since that time the report has been <br />discussed and revised based on comments from subsequent Board meeting and special Board <br />workshops. Public comments have been taken and revisions have been made. The final version <br />dated November 15, 1995 incorporates the comments from the Board and public. <br />It is the CWCB staff conclusion that the physical water availability studies conducted <br />by LRCWE and by the CWCB indicate that there is water physically available to appropriate for <br />the recommended endangered fish flows. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />LEGAL WATER AVATI.ABlLITY <br />To determine the legal availability of water in the 15 Mile Reach, the following activities <br />were conducted: <br />Colorado River Compact Water Development Workgroup Recommendations: The <br />Board informally convened the ad hoc Endangered FIsh Flow and Colorado River Compact <br />Water Development Workgroup ("Workgroup") to assist the Board in estimating Colorado's <br />unused apportionment of Colorado River water and in evaluating how the unused apportionment <br />could be distributed so endangered fish flow appropriations would not deprive the people of the <br />state of Colorado of the beneficial use of waters available under interstate compacts. The <br />Workgroup consisted of 17 people representing various interests associated with the Colorado <br />River and was first convened on October 28, 1994. Approximately nine public meetings of this <br />group were held to estimate and discuss the future uses of Colorado's unused compact <br />apportionment. Two of these meetings were joint meetings with the Board. The Workgroup <br />provided the CWCB input on how much water could be appropriated for endangered fish <br />recovery instream flows within the various sub-basins of the Colorado River basin in Colorado <br />without impairing Colorado's ability to fully develop its compact apportioned waters. <br />A report was prepared by the Workgroup summarizing its observations and <br />recommendations. The report is titled, "CoIQrado River Compact Water Development <br />Projection" dated November 2, 1995. The observations and recommendations contained in the <br />report reflect the Workgroup's thoughts on key documents relating to the "Law of the Colorado <br />