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alternatives were eliminated because, if constructed, they would decrease the ability of the diversion to handle flood flows, could interfere with operation of the diversion, and could increase the potential for ice damage to the passageway. Another alternative was to construct the fish passageway leading into the Redlands Canal and included a pipeline from the canal into the Gunnison River. This alternative was eliminated because, if built, it would force the native fish to use an enclosed pipe to exit from the canal into the river and would probably increase the potential of fish to be lost in the downstream powerplant. Suggestions were made to consider using wood construction so that initial costs were lowered and the effectiveness of the passageway could be monitored. This idea is discussed further in Chapter 4. Interim Water Al!reement TIrree alternatives were considered for the interim water agreement. These are, basically, two alternatives to provide water for the endangered fish from the Aspinall Unit with protection of historic water uses and one alternative to provide water for the interim agreement with no special protection of historic water uses: Alternative A (Protection of Basin Water Users throug-h Ooerational Flexibility)--Under Alternative A, which is the proposed alternative, the agreement would maintain flows of 300 cfs downstream from the Redlands Diversion Dam in July through October. Based on water supplies available, plans for the Aspinall Unit operations would try to maintain the 300 cfs below the Redlands Diversion Dam in other months. This is done under present conditions and a water agreement is not necessary. The agreement would specify that during the Aspinall Unit operation meetings (held each year during January, April, and August), Reclamation would develop an operating plan and water release schedule that attempts to satisfy the needs of downstream Gunnison River mainstem water users senior in priority to the Aspinall Unit. Specifically the agreement states: Reclamation hereby agrees to release from the Aspinall Unit sufficient water to maintain a minimum flow of 300 cfs during the months of July, August, September and October in the Gunnison River from the Redlands Diversion Dam to the confluence of the Gunnison River with the Colorado River, said flows to include the water necessary to operate the proposed fish passage facilities located at the Redlands Diversion Dam. The operating plan and water release schedule will be dependent upon current hydrologic conditions and the available water supply. For the teon of this agreement, the operating plan shall completely remove the need for administrative calls by downstream Gunnison River mainstem users senior in priority to the Aspinall Unit, unless such plan would cause Blue Mesa Reservoir to drop below the 400,000 acre-foot total storage level at the end of the current calendar year. In such event, the parties jointly agree to reduce the 300 cfs release amount otherwise protected pursuant to this MOA (agreement) in order to minimize the administrative calls which will occur from water rights downstream and senior to the Aspinall Unit and its decrees. These releases shall not result in any water bypassing the Blue Mesa, Morrow Point, and Crystal powerplants, except during periods when the powerplants are not operating. 10