Recovery Actions. Recovery actions in the Green River have focused on refining the operation of Flaming Gorge dam to enhance habitat conditions for the endangered fishes. A biological opinion was issued on the operation of Flaming Gorge Dam in 1992. This opinion contained seasonal flow recommendations for the Green River at Xxxxxx, Utah, and called for additional research under a specific set of research flows to collect information needed to refine the flow recommendations (particularly flow recommendations for spring and winter) and to develop flow recommendations for other areas of the Green River. The effects of the test flows on the endangered fishes and their habitat were evaluated through a variety of studies through 1997, and a final report including revised flow recommendations was completed (Xxxx et al. 2000). National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance on reoperation of Flaming Gorge Dam was completed in 2006 with a Record of Decision executed in February. A new biological opinion was completed in 2005. A study plan for the implementation and evaluation of flow and temperature recommendations for endangered fishes in the Green River downstream of Flaming Gorge Dam was completed in 2007 (Green River Study Plan ad hoc Committee 2007). Flow recommendations also have been developed for some tributaries to the Green River, such as the Yampa, White (interim flow recommendations), and Duchesne rivers. Tributary and mainstem flow recommendations will be carefully coordinated to address recovery needs from an Upper Basin wide perspective. An element of the 1992 Flaming Gorge Dam biological opinion identified the need to protect dam releases from possible diversion in the occupied habitat of the endangered fishes. The initial focus of this effort was to legally protect Flaming Gorge releases in the Green River down to the confluence of the Duchesne River for the months of July through October. Flow protection for the remainder of the year (November–June) and downstream to Canyonlands National Park will be addressed by Utah now that the final Environmental Impact Statement, Record of Decision, and biological opinion on reoperation of Flaming Gorge Dam have been issued. Other Green River activities involve restoration of bottomlands adjacent to the Green River that flood in the spring and provide important habitat for razorback sucker and Colorado pikeminnow. Levees have been breached to restore 9 sites (574 acres) and perpetual easements have been acquired on six pr...
Recovery Actions. A variety of recovery actions are planned, ongoing, or completed for the Colorado River. Numerous approaches are being taken to restore flows in the 15-mile reach immediately upstream of from the confluence of the Gunnison River to levels recommended by the Service. Reclamation has made available 5,000 acre-feet of water annually plus an additional 5,000 acre-feet in four of every five years from Ruedi Reservoir to augment flows in the 15-mile reach during July, August, and September. In addition, water is available from the lease of 10,825 acre-feet/year of water from Ruedi Reservoir and permanent commitment of 10,825 acre-feet/year from East and West slope water users. The East and West slope commitments were secured in 2000 by Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) with the Colorado River Water Conservation District (CRWCD) and Denver Water for delivery of 5,412 acre-feet of water from Xxxxxxx Mountain Reservoir and 5,412 acre-feet from Xxxxxxxx Fork Reservoir, respectively. By 2009, CRWCD and Denver Water will have a plan in place to permanently replace the water now being delivered by Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxxxx Fork reservoirs. Additional water is being provided through an MOA with CRWCD for delivery of up to 6,000 acre-feet of water from Xxxxxxx Mountain Reservoir. In 1992, Colorado filed an application in State water court for a 581 cubic feet per second (cfs) instream-flow right in the 15-mile reach for the months of July, August, and September. A final decree was issued in 1997. Colorado filed for a junior instream- flow right for the 15-Mile Reach in December 1995, which was opposed in State water court. As a result of concerns expressed by the Service and other Recovery Program participants, CWCB withdrew the baseflow and recovery flow instream-flow filings on the Colorado and Yampa rivers. With the approval of the PBO for the upper Colorado River upstream of the Gunnison River confluence, CDOW staff was instructed by CWCB to develop new methodologies and flow recommendations. The Recovery Program and CWCB will reevaluate the need for instream-flow filings 5 years as called for in the PBO. Flow recommendations and protection for the Colorado River downstream from the confluence of the Gunnison River will be addressed following completion of the Biological Opinion on reoperation of the Aspinall Unit. Other sources of water for the 15-mile reach include construction of the Grand Valley Water Management Project and operation of Federal and private projects. A stud...
Recovery Actions. Recovery actions in the Yampa River are focused on control of nonnative fishes and maintaining and legally protecting the flow regime required to recover the endangered fishes. To achieve these objectives, the Recovery Program developed the Yampa River Management Plan which identifies management actions necessary to provide and protect the needs of the endangered fishes while existing depletions for human use continue and water resources are developed to serve foreseeable future human needs in the Yampa River basin (Xxxxx 2004). The plan proposed to augment Yampa River base flows in accordance with the Yampa River flow recommendations (Xxxxx et al. 1999). Of thirteen alternatives identified and evaluated in the Plan, enlargement of Elkhead Reservoir provided the most reliable water supply at a moderate cost. Construction of the enlargement is complete and water is expected to be provided on a test basis in 2007. The Program funded a 5,000 af pool of permanent storage out of the 12,000 af Elkhead enlargement and may lease up to an additional 2,000 af on an as-needed basis. Colorado filed for a junior instream-flow water right for the Yampa River between the confluences of the Xxxxxxxx Fork and Little Snake rivers in December 1995. Forty-eight statements of opposition were filed against these filings in State water court. As a result of concerns expressed by the Service and other Program participants, CWCB withdrew the baseflow and recovery flow instream-flow filings on the Yampa and Colorado rivers. With the approval of the PBO for the upper Colorado River upstream of the Gunnison River confluence, CDOW staff was instructed by CWCB to develop new methodologies and flow recommendations. A cooperative agreement implementing the Yampa River Management Plan and a PBO were completed for the Yampa River in 2005. In 2009, the Recovery Program and CWCB will review CDOW's flow recommendation methodology and progress of performance under the Yampa PBO. During 2008 (the fourth year of the first 5-year period after completion of the PBO), the Recovery Program and CWCB will develop a process for assessing the need for further instream-flow protection for the endangered fishes in the Yampa River. On completion of this review, a determination will be made regarding the need for additional instream-flow protection for the endangered fishes. Flows in the Little Snake River after estimated future depletions were identified in the Yampa River Management Plan and Environmental...
Recovery Actions. Initial flow recommendations were developed for the Duchesne River in 1995 to address immediate concerns of several proposed water projects being considered in the Duchesne River basin. A follow-up study to evaluate and refine these flow recommendations began in 1997 and was completed in 2003 (Xxxxx and Xxxxxxx 2003). A water availability study was completed that identified sources of water to meet the flow recommendations. A coordinated reservoir operations study was completed in 2004. The Duchesne Biological Opinion issued in 1998 was updated in 2005. The 2005 update set targets for maintaining baseflows of 50 cfs year-round and no less than 115 cfs during periods of fish migration (March through June). It also formalized high flow recommendations based on an evaluation of the high flows that occurred during the 1977-2002 period of record and the response of sediment and other channel characteristics to these flows. Agreements were developed to provide flows in the Duchesne River for the endangered fishes, primarily based on voluntary cooperation between water managers, water users, and government agencies. Since 2005, the local Duchesne River Workgroup has improved water operations and provides baseflows for native fish at increasingly better frequencies (Central Utah Water Conservancy District, 2013). The Recovery Program participated in rehabilitation of the Myton Townsite Diversion Dam on the Duchesne River (completed in 2009) to help implement the flow recommendations for the endangered fish. More recently, the Ute Tribe, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service funded and constructed a selective fish passage structure on this diversion to allow fish passage and to increase available habitat for endangered and other native fishes. In addition, a Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) and Safe Harbor Agreement (SHA) were finalized for the portions of the Duchesne River between the Myton and Knight diversions and the Strawberry River below Starvation Reservoir. These agreements between the State of Utah, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Associated Water Users of the Strawberry and Duchesne Rivers, formalizes the agreement to allow water from Starvation Reservoir to reach the Myton Diversion without being claimed by irrigators in return for guarantees for no future Endangered Species Act requirements from the Service. UDWR operated the Myton Fish Passage in 2016 and 2018 ...
Recovery Actions. A work plan for the White River was developed to synthesize current information about the endangered fish and provide recommendations for specific recovery actions, including the merits of providing fish passage at Xxxxxx Draw Dam. Interim flow recommendations for the White River were completed in 2004 (Xxxxxx et al. 2004) and will be reviewed in 2007. The availability of data needed to update the flow recommendations will be assessed and a determination made regarding the need for and timing of refinement of the recommendations. Instream-flow filings are on hold pending reevaluation of how flows will be legally protected in Colorado.
Recovery Actions. Recovery actions in the Yampa River are focused on control of nonnative fishes and maintaining and legally protecting the flow regime required to recover the endangered fishes. To achieve these objectives, the Recovery Program developed the Yampa River Management Plan which identifies management actions necessary to provide and protect the needs of the endangered fishes while existing depletions for human use continue and water resources are developed to serve foreseeable future human needs in the Yampa River basin (Xxxxx 2004). The plan proposed to augment Yampa River base flows in accordance with the Yampa River flow recommendations (Xxxxx et al.
Recovery Actions. Recovery activities on the Gunnison River are focused on operating and evaluating a fish ladder at the Redlands diversion dam, reoperating the Aspinall Unit to improve flow/habitat conditions in the Gunnison River, and restoring flooded bottomland habitats near Delta. Perpetual easements have been acquired on three properties (198 acres). Construction of a fish ladder at the Redlands diversion dam was completed in 1996 and has provided for passage of Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, and other native fishes (as well as allowing exclusion of nonnative fishes). To prevent entrainment of adult and subadult endangered fish into diversion canals, a fish screen was installed at Redlands in 2005.
Recovery Actions. Recovery actions for the Xxxxxxx River drainage have been limited to preventing escapement of nonnative sport fish (e.g., smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and kokanee salmon) from McPhee Reservoir. Environmental contaminant clean-up is being pursued by State and Federal agencies independent of the Recovery Program. Inflows from the Xxxxxxx River that may be identified in the future as necessary to recover the endangered fishes on the mainstem of the Colorado River will need to be legally protected. It is unknown if stocked bonytail are using the Xxxxxxx River. Use of the Xxxxxxx River by endangered fish, particularly stocked bonytail, will be evaluated by Utah.
Recovery Actions. Recovery activities on the Gunnison River are focused on operating and evaluating a fish ladder at the Redlands diversion dam, reoperating the Aspinall Unit to improve flow/habitat conditions in the Gunnison River, and restoring flooded bottomland habitats near Delta. Perpetual easements have been acquired on three properties (198 acres). Construction of a fish ladder at the Redlands diversion dam was completed in 1996 and has provided for passage of Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, and other native fishes (as well as allowing exclusion of nonnative fishes). In 2010, the first humpback chub (previously captured in Westwater Canyon, Utah) used the ladder, which means all four species of endangered fish have been collected. To prevent entrainment of adult and subadult endangered fish into diversion canals, a fish screen was installed at Redlands in 2005.
Recovery Actions. Recovery actions for the Xxxxxxx River drainage have been limited to efforts independent of the Recovery Program to try to prevent/limit escapement of nonnative sport fish (e.g., smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and kokanee salmon) from McPhee Reservoir. However, smallmouth bass have become established in the Xxxxxxx River and may be an additional source for this invasive species in the Colorado River. Walleye also are in the reservoir, but have not been captured downstream. Therefore, the Recovery Program needs to determine if nonnative fishes in the Xxxxxxx River basin pose a threat to endangered fishes and determine appropriate response. In 2013, CPW treated Miramonte Reservoir to remove a source population of nonnative smallmouth bass. Actions like this are consistent with the Basinwide Strategy. Environmental contaminant clean-up is being pursued by State and Federal agencies independent of the Recovery Program. It is unknown if stocked bonytail are using the Xxxxxxx River. Utah conducted surveys on the Xxxxxxx in 2005 and 2013 and detected bluehead suckers, roundtail chub, and flannelmouth sucker (no bonytail were captured). The Recovery Program will consider the need for additional recovery actions in the Xxxxxxx River as new information becomes available. The Bureau of Reclamation funded the installation of PIT antenna in the lower Xxxxxxx River in 2013 and 2014. The Xxxxxxx River Working Group is exploring opportunities for improving the viability of native fishes in the Xxxxxxx River below McPhee Dam. The Lower Xxxxxxx River Monitoring, Implementation & Evaluation Plan contains objectives for nonnative fish monitoring and removal. In efforts to determine better locations to stock bonytail such as quiet still waters, flooded bottom lands, and tributaries, bonytail were stocked 8 miles above the confluence with the Colorado River in 2014. This stocking location is upstream of the PIT-tag antenna arrays.
