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DC: S .~ 51ffected Environment & Consequences 3-33 reach of the Uncompahgre River between the South Canal and the Montrose & Delta (M&D) Canal generally would range from 800 to 1,100 cfs. Flows would be reduced to approximately 750 cfs for any of the development alternatives. Summer flows in the 5- mile reach between the M&D and the Loutzenhizer Canals presently range from 200 to 600 cfs, but would be reduced to approximately 150 cfs with the project. In the past several years, a trout fishery has begun to develop in the Uncompahgre as far north as Montrose, To help maintain this nascent fishery, the Colorado Division of Wildlife has requested that the Sponsors schedule diversions so that flows in this reach stay above 60 cfs in the peak temperature months of August and September. The Sponsors and the City of Montrose, which owns storage in Ridgway Reservoir, have reached a cooperative agreement whereby this minimum flow should be met through coordination of releases and diversions, and possibly bypasses around the hydropower facility. Below the proposed tailrace, development would increase river flows. Compared to present conditions, this may make the river less attractive for some species such as suckers and make the river more habitable for game species such as trout. However, habitat availability for trout may be limited by increased velocity. Substantially increasing the flow below the proposed tailrace where pools and slow deep runs represent less than 5 percent of the surface area could reduce available trout habitat by increasing the velocity beyond that which is optimum for trout. 3.7.2.4 South Canal Under all development alternatives, the fish population in the South Canal would be comparable to the No Action alternative, The Sponsors would install a fish barrier at the mouth of the AB Lateral to minimize adult fish entering the lateral. 3.8 Soils 3.8.1 Existing Conditions About 75 percent of the soils within a corridor 500 feet on either side of the Uncompahgre River are classified as alluvial and wet alluvial. These soils are classified as hydric soils by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and are poorly drained and frequently flooded. The remaining 25 percent of soils within this corridor are of the Uncompahgre series, classified as non-hydric according to the NRCS. The major portion of the Gunnison River corridor consists of rock outcrop and extremely shallow soils. Soil development is limited, with the most extensive soil development in the Ute Park area and between the Smith and North Forks of the Gunnison River. AS Lateral Hydropower Project July 2000 i i j;,~, .",: c.hl'i,'" ;;;." =iJ