upper colorado river endangered fish recovery program

1. Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

2.

Choices

Enforce the ESA and escalate the conflict

File lawsuits

Seek amendment to the Endangered Species Act

Seek exemptions from the ESA

Identify the facts and negotiate a solution

Upper Colorado River Basin: In the mid 1970s, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that any further depletion of water from the upper basin would result in jeopardy to endangered fish.

3.

FEDERAL AGENCIES

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

National Park Service

Western Area Power Administration

STATES

Utah

Colorado

Wyoming

INTEREST GROUPS

Water users (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming)

Environmental organizations

Colorado River Energy Distributors Association

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

4. Colorado pikeminnow Ptychocheilus lucius Humpback chub Gila cypha Razorback sucker Xyrauchen texanus Bonytail Gila elegans Green River is important river for recovery because of the flood plain habitat, there are 2 spawning populations of Co pikeminnow and best chance for razorbacks

5.

Large

Water depletion reservoirs

Fish barriers Nonnative fish

Threats:

6. Recovery Elements Habitat-Flow Management Habitat Development Stocking Endangered Fish Managing Nonnative Fish Research and Monitoring

7. Flow protection

Modified operation of Federal dams/ reservoirs

Leases & contracts

Improved efficiency of irrigation systems

Cooperative reservoir operations

Partnered in a new water storage project (Elkhead)

Elkhead Reservoir

8. Year-round protection of flows in Reach 2

9. The Green River Reaches

10. ESA Compliance on the Green River

In Utah some 200 water projects depleting nearly 600KAF/year have received ESA compliance under the Recovery Program.

54 of those projects have been small depletions averaging less than 100 af/year. Some larger depletions include oil and gas projects, Green River Farms (currently under consultation) and some on the Duchesne River

11. Some one here could have a depletion that the Recovery Program is covering

12. Green River Policy 1994

Flows protected Reach 2 from FG to the Duchesne

Post Nov 1994 WR Approvals subordinate to bypass of fish flows Summer and Fall

Annually select target 1,800-1,100 cfs for Summer

Annually select target 2,400-1,100 cfs for Fall

Measure targets at Jensen UT

20 cfs set aside for critical needs with priority over fish flows

13. Table 5.5.Flow and temperature recommendations by hydrologic condition for Reach 2 (Yampa River to White River) to benefit endangered fishes in the Green River downstream of Flaming Gorge Dam. a

16. Reach 2: Spring Peak Flows

Accomplish: in-channel maintenance

Green River synchronized to Yampa River Peak

Inundate floodplain in Ouray area for 2 weeks in 4 of 10 years

Greater than 18,600 cfs connects to backwater

Bankfull flows in 1 of 2 years

17. Maintenance of Channel Complexity and connectivity

18. Backwaters provide warm, food-rich areas to grow and condition young Razorback suckers and Colorado pikeminnow

19. High flows remove algae and silt, rework spawning substrates, prevent channel narrowing

20. Reach 2: Winter Flows

Accomplish: a stable environment for young fish, it is assumed that native fish (old or young) feed when the water is near freezing, therefore it's best if they expend as little energy as possible, i.e. don't have to go searching for a different habitat due to fluctuating flows.

21. Reach 3: measured at USGS gage near Green River, Utah

Spring Peaks 39,400cfs to 8,300 cfs

Summer through Winter base flow 4,700 cfs to 1,300 cfs

Flooded off-channel habitats will benefit young Colorado pikeminnow and razorback suckers in lower Reach 3 and humpback chub in Desolation and Gray Canyons.

24. [email_address] 303-236-4486 www.coloradoriverrecovery.org Questions

25. The End

upper colorado river endangered fish recovery program

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