ARKANSAS BASIN Basinwide Conditions Assessment: The SWSI value of -1.0 indicates that the overall SURFACE WATER SUPPLY INDEX conditions are slightly below normal. Snowpack measured 93% ArIts rill11 Alva" Wein of average on April 1, 1991 and is 143% of last year. Snow water equivalency is approximately 10.5 inches. Precipitation for the month was 128% of average and 104% for the water year. Flow MM at the key index gaging station, Arkansas IMO River near Portland, 1MM IMa averaged 403 cfs for the month as compared to the historic IMO lilt I MIN IIN. nm monthly flow of 333 cfs. Cumulative flow at this gaging station is actually ahead of the record flow measured in 1984 due to • .• early runoff from above average temperatures. The snowpack •a - runoff hydrograph may have its peak moved earlier than the • usual June 12-15th period. Reservoir storage measured on April 1, 1991, was 131% of average. Storage (usable) in the upper JAK ...4.02 .1A1.11 JAMS .4/./41 JAkiiie JAMS .0200 .10401 hohnw YEAll reaches of the basin in Turquoise Reservoir and Twin Lakes Reservoir amounted to 143,600 acre-feet. Winter water storage amounted to 144,625 acre-feet. The total amount of water stored under this program last year was 129,584 acre-feet. Improved soil moisture conditions may cut irrigation demands and delay ARKANSAS RIVER NR. PORTLAND RS RY Y940 reservoir releases. 120 120 1.0 Outlook: 13, The strearnflow forecast is highest in the Huerfano River 1M 1 drainage at 125% of average to a low of 82% of average in the 150 Upper Arkansas River drainage. Runoff above Salida on the Arkansas River is projected to be 260,000 acre-feet as compared to the 25-year average of 310,000 acre-feet. Water users will be holding their reservoir water as long as possible by meeting early demands with direct diversions of native flows. Irrigation releases will be made in late summer to supplement low flows. 147v Jan .10 *dwelt WARN Administrative/Management Concerns: 0 KT 1904) C 773 O AVG • 1111 The river call went to April 15, 1884, on March 15, 1991, adjusting to December 3, 1884 on March 17, 1991, the Ft. Lyon #2 right (March 1, 1887), March 18, 1991, the Ft. Lyon #1 (March 15, 1884) on March 26, 1991, the Catlin right (December Arkansas 2asin Reservoir Supplies 3, 1884) on March 27, 1991, and the Ft. Lyon #2 right on March 30, 1991. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation estimated transmountain diversions into the Arkansas basin at 60,000 acre- feet in 1991. The Fountain Underflow System which has been a major concern of various water users in the Fountain Creek drainage was toured by the Division 2 office and interested parties on December 7, 1990. As a result of that field reconnaissance and water right study, the Division 2 office has prepared a Plan of Administration (POA) for the Fountain Underflow System and associated structures. This plan clarifies how, and when, and what water right structures may be used pursuant to the existing decrees. The required measurements of this POA should assure that no senior water rights are injured and that the Pinon gage flow is properly adjusted to reflect all water past that gage. Public Use Impacts:. Water based recreation at Pueblo Reservoir and John Martin Reservoir is expected to improve for the 1991 season. Above average storage in the upper basin reservoirs, Turquoise and Twin Lakes, will be beneficial as water transfers to Pueblo Reservoir during the summer months will enhance recreation on the upper reaches of the Arkansas River. 4 ... 4 ;7 777:, rprn ri• 1 •r • '.;; • 4 •, • •-• • ;'11: ; • • . .• •• • Tom Pitts & Associates 1 CONSULTING ENGINEERS •• MAR 2 1992 :••<.e4.•,7 WaER • J•241.4.''..1: February 28, 1992 MEMO TO: Management Committee and Platte River Management Committee, Colorado Water Congress Special Project on Threatened and Endangered Species FROM: Tom Pitts SUBJECT: Application of Section 7 Consultation to Nationwide Permits in the Colorado, Platte, and Arkansas River Basins By the attached letter, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has notified the Corps of Engineers that consultations under the Endangered Species Act may be required in the above referenced basins on a number of nationwide permits, including those applicable to repair of existing structures (No. 3), utility line backfill and bedding (No. 12), bank stabilization (No. 13), road crossings (No. 14), hydropower projects (No. 17), headwaters and isolated waters discharge (No. 26), and boat ramps (No. 36). The announcement includes the following major provisions: 1. Occupied habitat on endangered fishes on the Colorado River fishes is defined and expanded beyond previously recognized boundaries. 2. Any nationwide permit which causes, enables, or assists in net water losses, new or historic, in either the Platte or Colorado River systems represents a "may affect" situation, and Section 7 consultation shall be required on any such activity. 3. Any activity permitted by a nationwide permit on the Arkansas River and its reservoirs, either on or off the main channel, shall require Section 7 to insure compliance with the Endangered Species Act for protection of piping plover and least tern. suspect that consultation on plovers and terns will also apply to any other activities requiring either a 404 permit 535 North Garfield Avenue Loveland, Colorado 80537-5548 303 667-8690 To Management Committee and Platte River Management Committee, Colorado Water Congress Special Project on Threatened and Endangered Species From Tom Pitts February 28, 1992 Page 2 4. from the Corps of Engineers, or other Federal action. These species have been the subject of consultation on the Platte River, due to their presence in Central Nebraska. A few years ago when the State of Colorado was proposing to list the pining plover and least tern, we reviewed available information on sightings in the Arkansas basin. At that time there were very few sightings. If there is a problem with the Section 7 consultation in the Arkansas basin, please contact me and I will provide the historical sighting information. 4. Other provisions and recommended conditions of the permits are provided in the attached correspondence. It is my understanding from previous discussions with Corps of Engineers personnel that nationwide No.3 - repair of existing structures and nationwide No. 26 - headwaters and isolated waters discharge, are the mostly widely used permits. LI V I N TAKE siiimman Pa United States Department of the Interior pizi DEIN 111==1 AMERKA atimmonsu FISH AND mONNINENNWMPIO WILDLIFE SERVICE NNNOINENNENN FISH AND WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT r NONINN MN • Colorado Sntc Olike N 730 Simms Sacct. Suke 190 Golden. CO 80401 Plionc (303) 231-52e0 FTS $54-5280 FAX (30)) 2314285 RECEIVE° NCV/CO FWE/CO: COE NWCONDATR t FEB I 3 1992 Lt. Colonel DeBow Original File Copy District Engineer Attn: CESWA-CO-R P.O. 1580 Albuquerque District Corps of Engineers Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103-15,80 Dear Colonel Debow: As requested, the Colorado State Office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is providing information regarding Federally listed endangered and threatened species and recommended conditions for several proposed Nationwide Permits, The Service will provide more detailed endangered species distribution data in a follow-up mailing. This office would like the opportunity to further discuss these issues with your staff and that of EPA Region VIII, Please contact Bill Noonan at FTS 554-5280 (Comm. 303-231-5280) If there are any question or to schedule a meeting. Sinc ly, //1( /(3 LeRoy Carlson Colorado State Supervisor cc: EPA, Denver (Attn: Brad Miller) COOW, Denver (Attn: Don Smith) FWE, Grand Junction RO-FWE, Denver (Attn: Delinis Buechler) • I tut ft..% JUJuk.....)u,„ RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS FOR NATIONWIDE PERMITS IN COLORADO NATIONWIDE No. 3 REPAIR OF EXISTING STRUCTURES - SEE FIRST ITEM UNDER ENDANGERED SPECIES ISSUES NATIONWIDE No. 12 - UTILITY LINE BACKFILL AND BEDDING - THIS PERMIT NEEDS TO BE CONDITIONED TO REQUIRE THAT BACKFILL MATERIALS AND BEDDING TECHNIQUES (COMPACTION) BE USED WHICH PREVENT WETLAND DRAINAGE. NATIONWIDE No. 13 - BANK STABILIZATION - FOR SMALLER STREAMS THE AMOUNT OF FILL ALLOWED FOR STABILIZATION CAN BE EXCESSIVE. A MAXIMUM PROJECT LENGTH (BOTH BANKS) OF 100 FEET SHOULD BE REQUIRED ON STREAMS OF 5.CFS AVERAGE ANNUAL FLOW OR LESS. NATIONWIDE No. 17 - HYDROPOWER PROJECTS - ONLY PROJECTS WHICH ARE IN NEED OF, OR HAVE RECEIVED, A LICENSE FROM THE FEDERAL REGULATORY ENERGY COMMISSION SHOULD BE AUTHORIZED UNDER A NATIONWIDE. F.E.R.C. EXEMPTED PROJECTS SHOULD NEED TO APPLY FOR AN INDIVIDUAL PERMIT REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF FILL. THE MAXIMUM GENERATION CAPACITY SHOULD BE REDUCED TO 1500KW. NATIONWIDE NO. 26 - SUSPEND USE OF THIS PERMIT FOR ANY PROJECTS WHICH DAM, DIVERT OR OTHERWISE MAY CONTRIBUTE TO A DEPLETION OF THE PLATTE RIVER AND COLORADO RIVER SYSTEMS. THIS SUSPENSION IS BASED ON CONCERN FOR FEDERAL ENDANGERED SPECIES IN NEBRASKA WHICH DEPEND ON ADEQUATE FLOWS IN THE PLATTE RIVER. - SUSPEND USE OF THIS PERMIT IN BOULDER AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES FOR PROJECTS ALONG STREAMS OR IN WETLANDS ADJACENT TO STREAMS, LADIES TRESSES ORCHID LISTED AS THREATENED IS THE SPECIES OF CONCERN. - REQUIRE NON-WATER DEPENDENT PROJECTS TO PREPARE AN ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS FOR APPROVAL BY COE Lia ERA - REQUIRE MITIGATION FOR PROJECTS AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS PERMIT. USE EPA'S REGION VIII MITIGATION RATIO GUIDELINES. - LIMIT IMPACTS (DIRECT AND INDIRECT) AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS PERMIT TO 0.1 ACRE OF WATERS OF THE U.S. THE SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS TO WETLANDS BY NW26 IN THE FRONT RANGE AS DOCUMENTED BY THE NATIONAL ECOLOGY RESEARCH CENTER SUPPORT THIS RECOMMENDATION. - STREAM WORK OF ANY TYPE AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS PERMIT IS NOT TO EXCEED A TOTAL (BOTH BANKS) OF 250 LINEAR FEET. - I lin ENDANGERED SPECIES ISSUES - ANY ACTIVITY PERMITTED BY ANY NATIONWIDE PERMIT WHICH CAUSE, ENABLE ..OR ASSIST IN A NET WATER LOSS, NEW OR HISTORIC, FROM EITHER THE COLORADO.