WSP01708

• File Number: 8240.200.46.A
• Description: Ruedi Reservoir
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/1997
• Title: Ruedi Dam and Reservoir Operations
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Project Overview

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AF for the endangered fish. A new agreement for 1997 for an additional 21,650 AF, as in
'1996, has been mailed by Reclamation for coordination with the Service and the Board.

Reclamation has historically operated the reservoir to maximize recreation, flood control,
and fish and wildlife benefits because there has been no need for replacement water and
minimal demand for supplemental water supplies in western Colorado since initially
filling the Reservoir in 1969.

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The Reservoir, with a capacity of 102,369 AF and 997 surface acres at elevation 7,766.0
feet, is regulated to fill during the fust week of July. The Reservoir is generally
maintained at this level tluough September, provided minimum flows are maintained in
the Fryingpan River downstream of the Reservoir in accordance with the Operating
Principles for the Project. Beginning October tluough April, water is released from the
Reservoir at a uniform rate to enhance the fishery of the Fryingpan River and to draw the
Reservoir down to an approximate content of53,100 AF with a surface area of663 acres
at an approximate elevation of 7,706.0 feet, which is 2 feet above the bottom of the
United States Forest Service's (Forest Service) boat ramp, to provide storage space for the
spring runoff and provide flood contro1. This operation results in the Forest Service's
boat ramp being usable throughout the year. The Reservoir is then filled during the
period May I to the fust week In July.

A total of20,443 AF was released from the Reservoir for endangered fish in 1996. The
Reservoir was filled to Its highest elevation of7,763.2 feet (99,625 AF) on August 13.
The Reservoir was not filled to capacity before the bypass of all inflow was required to
satisfy a senior downstream water right. The release of the 20,443 AF of water began on
August 14, 1996 and ended on October 30,1996 (Exhibit A). The Reservoir elevation
, fell to 7,758.1 feet (94,651 AF) ~ the end ofLabor Day, to 7,747.4 feet ~4,935 AFJ on
1- - O~tober -12,aficl 107 ~i41.9 feet-(80;140-AF) at the end~Ttheendangeredfish-release o~u.

October 30. The release of the 20,443 AF varied from a minirmunrate of 120 CFS in
mid-August to a maximum rate of 150 CFS in mid-September. The total rate of release
to the Fryingpan River varied from a minimum of 112 CFS on August 14 to a maximum
of 250 CFS on October 11.

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Hydroelectric Power Generation

The release of the additional 10,000 AF of water from the Reservoir had no effect on the
generation of energy at Ruedi Water and Power Authority's powerplant. All of the water
was released tluough the powerplant. The volume of water released through the
powerplant during the July through April period is the same regardless of the rates of
release, since the target level of the Reservoir at the end of the winter drawdown period
on April 30 is the same under all water release variations. The generation distribution
during the August through April period changed in that more generation occurred during
the August 14 through October 30 period of the release of the 20,443 AF of water, and

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