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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I r'- ."'1 "...! .h; Ji;;. ..! EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The major objective of this study was to investigate the timing and volume of required releases for replacement water from Ruedi Reservoir. This re- placement water would be required whenever Battlement Mesa is diverting out of priorty from the Colorado River. Major conclusions are: (1) Existing releases from Ruedi Reservoir for flood control, recreation, and to maintain minimum fish flows would meet the replacement require- ments of Battlement Mesa virtually all the time. (2) If future demand for Ruedi Reservoir water increases, additional re- leases would be necessary to supply replacement water for Battlement Mesa. These additional releases would increase downstream flows during low flow periods thereby improving conditions for fish life. (3) The potential drawdown of Ruedi Reservoir by sale of replacement water to Battlement Mesa is small and could be minimized by prudent operat i on. (4) Water released from Ruedi Reservoir has lower total dissolved solid levels than the Colorado River below Glenwood Springs during low flow periods. Therefore, additional releases of Ruedi water during low flow periods will lower the total dissolved solids in the Colorado River between Glenwood Springs and Battlement Mesa. Below Battlement Mesa there would be a slight increase in total dissolved solids as the result of return flows from Battlement Mesa. These return flows would occur regardless of whether or not water is purchased from Ruedi Reservoi r. These conc 1 usions were reached by ana lyzi ng present and long-term operat ion of Ruedi Reservoir as the operation changes from providing flood control storage to providing water supply storage. The basis for this analysis was the dry years of 1976 to 1978. (i)