WSP04540

• File Number: 8240.200.38.G
• Description: Coordinated Reservoir Operations
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/1997
• Author: CWCB
• Title: Coordinated Reservoir Operations News Articles
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: News Article/Press Release

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.Agenda Item 20b
Attachment 8

\)~V"lliMENT OF THE 'Nr~

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u.s. Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
Eastern Colorado Area Office

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ClREJ,U OF RECl"lA"i\O

NEWS RELEASE

COORDINATED RESERVOIR OPERATIONS
DECISION ON RELEASES FOR ENDANGERED FISH NOT FINAL:

The Coordinated Reservoirs Operations Team held four public meetings recently to discuss a
new effort to pass inflows through selected reservoirs in an attempt to achieve more natural
peak flows for endangered fish in the Grand Valley. At the most recent meeting on May 1, in
Glenwood Springs, reservoir operators presented potential operational plans assuming the
releases of inflow would be required this year, This meeting was part of the first annual
coordination process that includes assessing if the releases are needed for the fish and
whether the participating reservoirs are able to enhance peak flows or need to be operating to
reduce impacts of high runoff. The decision to make releases of inflow this year has not
yet been made due to the recent precipitation. In light of the current high snow packs.
and continuing precipitation, there may not be a need to enhance the peaks for the
endangered fish and the reservoirs may need to operate to reduce impacts of potentially
high runoff this year. The team will continue to assess runoff conditions and will not attempt
releases to enhance peak flows if there is any possibility the releases would contribute to
flooding.

The Coordinated Reservoir Operations Team was established as part of the Recovery Program
for Endangered Fish in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Four native fish species that inhabit
the Coiorado River Basin are federally listed as endangered: Colorado squawfish, humpback
chub, razorback sucker and bonytail. Each of these four species was once abundant in the
Upper Colorado River Basin. The purpose of the Coordinated Reservoir Operations is to
coordinate discretionary releases of inflow to help enhance peak flows. The enhancement of
peak flows will improve habitats for Colorado squawfish and may restore some floodplain
habitats to assist recovery of these endangered species,

If you have any questions or need more information about the Operations Team, please contact
Malcolm Wilson at the Bureau of Reclamation's Eastem Colorado Area Office, 11056 West
County Road 18E, Loveland, Colorado 80537-9711, [phone], [e-mail],gov.

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The Coordinated Reservoir Operations Team is comprised of major reservoir owner/operators representatives
and water management entities involved with water use in the Colorado River Basin of Colorado, These
entities include owner/operators of Green Mtn" Ruedi, Dillon, Williams Fork, Wolford Mtn, and Homestake
reservoirs, the Colorado River Water Conservation District, the Recovery Program, Fish and Wildlife Service,
National Weather Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Colorado Division
of Wildlife and the Colorado Division of Water Resources.

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