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<br />. . <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />..--' <br /> <br />31 <br /> <br />The flows were distributed equally throughout the months of August and <br />September for the purposes of the simulation. The flows were also assigned <br />water right priorities that ensured they would reach the occupied habitat <br />below Palisade, Colorado. The hydrology and habitat models were then <br />reoperated to create a new Ruedi/Green Mountain baseline with endangered fish <br />f1 ows. <br /> <br />When the 10,000 af of water are added to the river with water right priorities <br />sufficient to ensure that the water arrives at the IS-mile reach, noticeable <br />flow and habitat gains become apparent in the months of August and September <br />(Table 12). Adult habitat conditions are improved by 3.0 to 18.8 percent, <br />with the largest gain being evident in September of dry water years. Spawning <br />habitat in August increases from 3.8 percent in average years to 14.6 percent <br />in dry years. These gains in habitat should have a positive effect on <br />Colorado squawfish spawning and recruitment in the IS-mile reach. <br /> <br />Some losses to adult habitat are evident from October through April. These <br />losses are the result of changes in Ruedi Reservoir operations to provide the <br />endangered fish flows in August and September. This additional loss of adult <br />habitat should be offset by the gains in adult and spawning habitat in August <br />and September. <br /> <br />Based upon these findings, the Service believes that the provision of <br />10,000 af of water will offset the impact of the proposed water sales, and <br />thus avoid the likelihood of jeopardy to the Colorado squawfish. Also, the <br />provision that would allow the 10,000 af to be legally protected and managed <br />to benefit the endangered fishes will provide flexibility to achieve <br />flow/habitat conditions that are conducive to the survival and recovery of the <br />species. <br /> <br />Table 11 and 12 indicate that, even with the endangered fish flows in place, <br />habitat reductions will occur in most months of the year as a result of the <br />Ruedi II/Green Mountain water sales. Most of these reductions, which are <br />spread among fall, winter, and spring months, could impact certain life-stages <br />of the Colorado squawfish. To better understand the impact of the Ruedi III <br />Green Mountain water sales and endangered fish releases upon the habitat needs <br />of the Colorado squawfish at various times of the year, studies of the <br />endangered fish in the IS-mile reach have been determined to be necessary~ As <br />part of committed conservation measures, Reclamation has agreed to fund <br />studies needed to collect habitat information on the IS-mile reach. The <br />results of such studies may point out the need to adjust endangered fish flow <br />releases. <br /> <br />CHANNEL MAINTENANCE ANALYSIS <br /> <br />The Service is concerned about the effect of water resource developments on <br />sediment transport, channel stability, and substrate flushing flows in the <br />