WSP05411

• File Number: 8141.700
• Description: Fryingpan-Arkansas Project - Annual Operating Plans and Reports
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 11/1/1990
• Author: US DoI BoR
• Title: Annual Operating Plan Fryingpan-Arkansas Project Colorado 1990 - 1991
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Annual Report

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3. Reservoir Operation

The planned release from Ruedi Reservoir for October through April is
110 ft3/s which would draw the reservoir down to an elevation of 7727.9 feet
by March 31, 1991. However, based upon th~ type of runoff season indicated
by monthly snowpack data, the outflow from the reservoir and the target
elevation will be adjusted. To provide maximum flood protection below the
dam, the reservoir will be drawn down by March 31, 1991, to a point where
refilling would be assured during the spring runoff under the reasonable
minimum condition. Estimates of probable inflow will be made following the
February I, March I, April I, and May 1 sn:ow forecasts, the drawdown being
adjusted accordingly.

West Slope recreation interests requested: that the reservoir water level
not be drawn down below elevation 7706.0 (53,000 acre-feet), which is
2.0 feet above the bottom of the Forest Service boat ramp. This request
will be honored until long term contracts can be developed for sale of
storage water. The reservoir is scheduled to fill by the first of July to
provide optimum recreational benefits during the summer months.

After July I, operating plans call fo~ maintaining the reservoir at
elevation 7764.0 (2.0 feet below the spillway crest) until demands on stored
water develop. Then, inflow, short term contracted deliveries, and
deliveries for the endangered fish in the' "IS-mile reach" of the Colorado
River, will be released to the Fryingpan River below Ruedi Dam. The release
for endangered fish is anticipated to last through the middle of October.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife has requested that the outflow be
maintained at about 100 ft3/s during Sept~mber to optimize the downstream
fishery. These flows will be maintained under normal conditions. If
condit ions warrant, the outflow duri ng ~hese months may be adjusted to
conserve water.

If water is sold to entities downstream, i the outflow from the reservoir
will be adjusted to the situation at the time of del ivery and will be
included in the overall operation.

Table 15 and exhibit 21 show the anticipated operation of Ruedi Reservoir
during water year 1991.

C. West SloDe Collection Svstem

In 1991, there will be 16 diversion po!ints on the west slope collection
system in operation. The Hunter system po~tion of the west slope collection
system will be in operation to divert approximately 11,000 acre-feet of
water. Of this, up to 3,000 acre-feet \'Iill be used for the Twin Lakes
Reservoir and Canal Company exchange. Under the terms of the exchange the
water is to be furnished to the company at Twin Lakes. This exchange will
be done through and by means of Project dijversions and storage in exchange
for the company making equivalent releafes from the headwaters of the
Roaring Fork River. The company's relea;ses would otherwise be diverted
through thei r coll ect i on and di vers ion isystem. The exchange wi 11 be
operated according to water year 1991 criteria during the period
October I, 1990, through September 30, 1991 (appendix B). Fryingpan-
Arkansas Project diversions from the Fryingpan River and Hunter Creek Basins