IDENTIFY AND PROTECT INSTREAM FLOWS. Recovery cannot be accomplished without securing, protecting, and managing sufficient habitat to support self-sustaining populations of the endangered fishes. Identification and protection of instream flows are key elements in this process. The first step in instream-flow protection is to identify flow regimes needed by the fish. In the Recovery Program, determining flow needs is primarily the responsibility of the Service (in cooperation with other participants). Factors considered in determining flow needs include: flow effects on reproduction and recruitment; flow effects on food supplies and nonnative fishes; and interrelationships between flow and other habitat parameters believed to be important for the fish, such as channel structure, sediment transport, substrate characteristics, vegetative encroachment, and water temperature. Flow recommendations often are made in stages, with initial flow recommendations based on the best available scientific information, historic conditions, and extrapolation from similar reaches. Recommendations then are refined following additional field research. The contribution of tributaries to recovery was ranked by Xxxx and Xxxxxxxx (2001). A strategic plan was completed in 2003 that identified geomorphology research priorities to refine the flow recommendations and address the Recovery Goals (LaGory et al. 2003). Flow recommendations have been approved for reaches of the Colorado (Osmundson and Xxxxxxx 1991; XxXxx 2003), Yampa (Xxxxx and Xxxxx 1995; Xxxxx et al. 1999), Xxxxx (Xxxx et al. 2000), Gunnison (XxXxx 2003), and Xxxxxxxx (Xxxxx and Xxxxxxx 2003) xxxxxx. Flows in the Little Snake River after estimated future depletions were identified in the Yampa River Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (Xxxxx 2004). Interim flow recommendations for the White River were completed in 2004 (Xxxxxx et al. 2004) and will be reviewed in 2007. Flow recommendations for the Colorado River below the Green River are pending completion of the Aspinall Unit EIS. Flow recommendations for other rivers or river reaches will be developed as deemed necessary to achieve recovery. Colorado Flow protection mechanisms are organized according to their initial or dominant attribute. If a change in the ownership of a water right (by purchase, lease, etc.) is central to flow protection, then flow protection is placed under "Acquire." A change in water right ownership to protect flows will usually be accompanied by a legal proceeding to change...
IDENTIFY AND PROTECT INSTREAM FLOWS. Recovery cannot be accomplished without securing, protecting, and managing sufficient habitat to support self-sustaining populations of the endangered fishes. Identification and protection of instream flows are key elements in this process. The first step in instream-flow protection is to identify flow regimes needed by the fish. In the Recovery Program, determining flow needs is primarily the responsibility of the Service (in cooperation with other participants). Factors considered in determining flow needs include: flow effects on reproduction and recruitment; flow effects on food supplies and nonnative fishes; and interrelationships between flow and other habitat parameters believed to be important for the fish, such as channel structure, sediment transport, substrate characteristics, vegetative encroachment, and water temperature. Flow recommendations (for all or certain seasons) have been or are being developed for most river reaches targeted for recovery in the Upper Basin. Flow recommendations often are made in stages, with initial flow recommendations based on the best available scientific information, historic conditions, and extrapolation from similar reaches. Recommendations then are refined following additional field research. Downstream of Flaming Gorge Dam on the Green River and dams of the Aspinall Unit on the Gunnison River, test flows were provided while research was conducted to determine more precise flow recommendations. That research has been completed and final flow recommendations for the Green River downstream of Flaming Gorge Dam have been approved. Flow recommendations also have been completed for the Colorado, Yampa and Duchesne rivers. An initial flow report was completed for the White River; however, due to shortcomings in the study design, additional research may be necessary in the future to develop meaningful flow recommendations. In 2004, flow recommendations will be completed for the Little Snake River, the Yampa River below the Little Snake River, and the Colorado River below the Green River. A strategic plan has been developed to identify geomorphic research needed to refine the flow recommendations and address the Recovery Goals.
