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!'I /'I,OC, ~., ~ 'iJ'J~:"';"'~ Affected Environment & Consequences 3- t2 3.3.2 Impacts of Alternatives 3.3.2.1 Alternative A (No Action) Under the No Action alternative, the irrigation system would operate as it has in the past and no changes would occur. Table 3-1 presented the mean monthly Gunnison diversions necessary to meet irrigation demands for canals downstream of the proposed Project. The UVWUA currently diverts up to 100 cfs of the downstream demand through Cedar Creek, with the remainder delivered via the South Canal and the Uncompahgre River. This practice would be expected to continue. 3.3.2.2 Development Alternatives Development alternatives would not significantly affect the amount of water diverted for irrigation use within the study area, including private irrigation diversions and the UVRP. Irrigation diversions necessary to meet downstream demands (Table 3-1) would pass through the AB Lateral penstock. Water may be available slightly earlier in the season to farmers near Delta, This may allow changes in crops, Historically, early diversions have not been made because of potential icing concerns along the South Canal. Water flowing through the penstock would not be subject to freezing, The M&D and Loutzenhizer Canals would receive the majority of their water supply from the Uncompahgre River. About 35 percent of the water supplies delivered to these canals would be derived from the Gunnison River. The Selig, East, Ironstone, and Garnet Canals would receive higher percentages of Gunnison River water. The Sponsors would discontinue the practice of supplying a portion of the Ironstone Canal through the M&D. Modifications would be made to the Ironstone to permit full diversion at the headgates, The modifications would consist of increasing the canal's hydraulic capacity for several hundred feet downstream of the headgate. In addition to the UVRP, there are other smaller water diversions from the Uncompahgre River. Senior water rights for these diversions as well as those along the Gunnison River between the Gunnison Tunnel and the Uncompahgre's confluence with the Gunnison River at Delta would continue to be honored. 3.4 River Morphology One of the most significant changes made by the Sponsors since completion of the PElS is the additional information acquired about the morphology of the Uncompahgre River. This information was compiled by the Sponsors in support of the bank stabilization program described in Section 2.4.3 of the SEIR. This information is summarized below. AS Lateral Hydropower Project July 2000 ,>--~ ;"-,' ~-,--