WSP01659

• File Number: 8282.600.10
• Description: Colorado River Operating Annual Reports
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 1/1/1974
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: Operation of the Colorado River Basin 1974 Projected Operations 1975
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

Enhancement of Fish and Wildlife

UPPER BASIN

The interim operating rules for Fontenelle
Reservoir provide for a continuous flow of at
least 300 rt3/s in the channel immediately
below the dam for the benefit of fish habitat.
Releases for power. production and other
purposes during water year 1974 provided
flows in excess of 600 ft3/s.
During the first part of March, releases at
Fontenelle Dam were about 1,550 ft3/s in
order to add to the tributary flow downstream
and provide a flow of 3,000 ft3/s through the
Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge and thus
force the geese to build their nests at a higher
elevation and away from the river. Flows were
maintained at less than 3,000 rt3/s throughout
the remainder of the geese-nesting period to
avoid inundating the nests.
Fishing below Flaming Gorge Dam has
been enhanced by keeping a minimum of
800 ft3/s in the river.
A release of at least 54 ft3/s throughout
the winter 1973-74 assured good fish habitat
between Taylor Park and Blue Mesa Reservoirs.
Coordinated operation between Taylor Park
and Blue Mesa Reservoirs in delivering irrigation
water to the Uncompahgre Project provided
additional fishery and recreational
opportunities between the two reservoirs. The
interim operating rules specify a minimum of
200 rt3/s for good fish habitat below Morrow

Point Dam and below the Gunnison Tunnel.
A continuous flow of at least 400 rt3/s
was maintained immediately below Navajo Dam
for good fish propagation. .
Clear water and a minimum release of
1,000 ft3/s provided good habitat for fish in
the river below Glen Canyon Dam.

LOWER BASIN

Lake Mead water levels were regula ted to
the maximum extent possible, consistent with
other uses, to provide a stable or rising water
surface during the bass spawning season. This
resulted in a somewhat diminished spawn due
to unusual power marketing conditions at Glen
Canyon Dam. Reduced flows into Lake Mead
during the bass spawn and high downstream
wa ter demands for agricultural use made it
difficult to fully provide the scheduled
elevations for fishery enhancement.
Downstream water demands were greater than
anticipated during the spawning season, due to
increased cotton production in the Lower
Colorado River Basin.
Releases from Lakes Mohave and Havasu
were regulated so that minimum flows below
the dams were never less than 1,500 ft3/s. This
was done to provide satisfactory fish habitat
along the lower river.

Feral horses. near Lake Havasu. Arizona-California

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