WSP02381

• File Number: 8147
• Description: Arkansas River Basin - Gunnison-Arkansas Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 1/1/1954
• Author: Unknown
• Title: Gunnison-Arkansas Project - Plans of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project for the Protection and Enhancement of Fish and Wildlife-Recreation and Scenic Values in the Aspen Area
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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January 1954

PL'.NS OF T'rlE FRYI"GPI,N-;.RK,"NS;.s PROJECT FOR THE
PROTECTION i.ND EN1Li~CEMENT OF FISH ;,11D WILDLIFE,
RECRJ,;;.TION /,N!) SCEiHC VI.LUES IN THE j,SPEN ;-REi.

In fonnulating plans for the Fryingpan..i'rkansas Project the Bureau
of Reclamation has been fully co~izant of thc fishing, rccreational
and scenic values of the Roaring Fork and FIyingpan watersheds in the
1.spen area. Thc cooperation of the Fish and Wildlifc Service, thc Colo.-
rado Gnme and Fish Commission, tho National Park Servicc, nod other
local and State intcrests was had in planning for the preservation and
when possiblc the enhancement of these values. The cooperating agencies
prescribed certain minimum flows at critical points on the strca~s which
would be adequate to preserve fishery values. The Pro ject has been
planned to insure maintenance of the specified flows. The diversions
from the tributaries of the Fryingpan River .muld be significant only
in May, June and July, the months of spring snow melt floods. The total
annual diversion would amount to only about 50 percent of the annual
runoff of the Fryingpan River above Norrie. Diversions from Hunter
Creek uould also be largely limited to the spring snow melt months.
Only such water would be divorted as in excess of the decreed rights
for the use of Hunter Creek water. These rights insure a live stream
at all times with no damage to prescnt fishery values.

The flow of the Roaring ii' ork River above the proposed ;.spen Dam-
site is n~N reduced by the transmountain diversions of the ~1in 1ak~s
I Canal Company. Plans have been made by the company to increase their
) diversions to their full legal rights. These diversions would deplete
the flows of the Rearing Fork River during lowr runoff scasons to an
amount insufficient to support fish life. The Fryingpan-.!.rkansas .
,Project providos for agreements with the Canal Company whcrcby project
water would be furnished to the Company in exchange for wator to be
left in the strcams for the preservation of fishery values. Operation
of the project in accordancc with such agreoments would insure a live
stream at the company's collection system. At the head of the proposed
l.spen Reservoir thc flow of the Roaring Fork River I',ould be maintaincd
at all times at an amount equal to or grcater than the floVls specified
by the Fish and Wildlife Serviee and others as sufficient to maintain
fishery values. These spocified flovls range from 24 c.f.s. in March
to 120 c.f.s. in June.

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The proposed ~spen Reservoir would providc for the storage of
Spring snow melt flood waters for subsequcnt release during the lato
sunrner and .1inter months to ~eet demands for the use of water in
Vlcstern Colorado and for the preservation of fisherJ vQlues. In

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