WSP01708

• File Number: 8240.200.46.A
• Description: Ruedi Reservoir
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/1997
• Title: Ruedi Dam and Reservoir Operations
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Project Overview

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RUEDI DAM AND RESERVOIR OPERATIONS

Ruedi Dam and Reservoir (Reservoir) were constructed as a feature of the
Fryingpan-Arkansas Project (Project). The primary purpose of the Reservoir is to
provide replacement water for use in western Colorado when the Project is diverting
water out of priority for use in eastern Colorado. The water not needed for replacement
purposes may be sold or leased by the United States for any purpose recognized by the
laws of the United States. Incidental purposes of the Project include recreation and the
conservation and development of fish and wildlife.

Construction and initial filling of the Reservoir were completed in 1969. Since this time,
the requirement for replacement water has been very limited, and the United States has
leased 7,850 acre-feet (AF) of water for use in western Colorado, of which 6,000 AF was
for oil shale development. In 1982, the United States was prepared to execute contracts
for the remaiping water available In the Reservoir when it was determined that a
_ SupplelI!ent toJh.e Final Environmental Statement for the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project
(SES) should be prepared prior to executing the contracts to comply with the National
Environmental Policy Act. During preparation of the SES, the Bureau of Reclamation
(Reclamation) was required to consult with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act, concerning the endangered fish of the
Colorado River. The Service determined that without conservation measures the sale of
water from the Reservoir would jeopardize the existence of the endangered fish of the
Colorado River. Among other things, Reclamation agreed to withhold 5,000 AF of water
from industrial water sales and make an additional 5,000 AF of water available for the
endangered fish in 4 of 5 years through modification of operation of the Reservoir.
Reclamation could not continue the Reservoir water marketing program until the water
for the-endangerediish-coutdbe release'd1'roiiiThe ReservOIr anulegiilIY protectediufue
Colorado River. The Final Supplement to the Final Environmental Statement for the
Fryingpan-Arkansas Project was filed on August 1, 1989, and an agreement legally
protecting releases from the Reservoir for the endangered fish in the Colorado River was
executed in February 1990, enabling Reclamation to proceed with the water sales
program.

Reclamation has released the 10,000 AF of water for the endangered fish in each year
beginning with 1989, and continuing through 1996, except in 1993 and 1995. In 1991
and continuing through 1995, Reclamation, the Service, and the Colorado Water
Conservation Board (Board) executed an agreement to release an additional 10,000 AF of
water for a total of 20,000 AF for the endangered fish. There was no release of water for
endangered fish in 1993 and 1995 due to an above normal water supply. In all other
years, however, the water made available for endangered fish was released. In 1996 an
agreement was executed to release an additional 21,650 AF of water for a total of 31 ,650

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