WSP05693

• File Number: 8240.300.31
• Description: San Juan River
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 9/13/1994
• Title: General News Articles - Press Releases
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: News Article/Press Release

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Bureau of Reclamation
Western Colorado Area Office-Southern Division
Durango, Colorado
Clarice Seale [phone]
For Release October 22, 1996

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AGENCIES TO STUDY EFFECTS OF 4-MONTH WINTER TEST FLOWS
IN THE SAN JUAN RIVER

State and Federal agencies are joining together to closely monitor the effects of an upcoming
test of reduced winter flows from Navajo Dam into the San Juan River, Particular attention
will be given to the condition of the trout fishery and water quality. The test will begin on
November 4, 1996, and continue through February 28, 1997,

Assisting the Bureau of Reclamation will be the V,S, Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of
Indian Affairs, the Biological Resources Division of the V,S, Geological Survey, the New
Mexico Department of Game and Fish, and contract consultants to measure effects before,
during, and after the 4-month test, Monitoring studies include fish health and movements,
angler surveys, trout food supply (macro invertebrates), and water quality,

The results of the 4-month test combined with other research conducted by agencies involved
in the San Juan River Recovery Implementation Program will be used to develop a year-round
flow recommendation for the San Juan River. The additional storage of water in the reservoir
gained from lower winter flows will allow greater flexibility of releases in the spring to benefit
downstream populations of two endangered fish -- the Colorado squawfish and the razorback
sucker -- and allow for future water development, Both objectives are primary goals of the
Recovery Program,

Flow recommendations will be the basis of a new biological opinion issued by the Fish and
Wildlife Service for the long-term operation of Navajo Dam, Reclamation will then prepare a
NEPA document to address the long-term environmental consequences of future operations in
the context of expected increasing demands for water in the San Juan Basin, The goal is to
provide recommendations for conserving and restoring the fish in the San Juan River Basin
while allowing for future development.

During the test period, releases from Navajo Dam will be adjusted to maintain a target flow of
600 to 650 cubic feet per second (cfs) at the Shiprock gaging station on the San Juan River,
Actual releases from Navajo Dam will depend upon flows in the Animas River and other
tributaries to the San Juan River, The minimum allowable release from the dam during the
test period will be 250 cfs in accordance with the San Juan River Basin Recovery