News Release Archive

Flows from Flaming Gorge Dam to Increase Temporarily to Benefit Endangered Fish

Media Contact: Barry Wirth, (801) 524-3774, bwirth@uc.usbr.gov
Heather Patno, hpatno@uc.usbr.gov

For Release: May 08, 2008

Flows from Flaming Gorge Dam will significantly increase next week for a three - week period in keeping with endangered fish species recovery obligations. Beginning on or around May 12, 2008, Reclamation will increase flows from an average of more than 818 cubic-feet-second (cfs) to a maximum powerplant capacity of approximately 4,200 cfs for a full 21-day period. Each year Reclamation times the increased flows from the powerplant into the Green River to match the spring runoff peak of the Yampa River as a means to aid in the recovery of endangered fish of the Green River.

Current projections are for the Yampa River to peak at about 18,000 cfs during the last week of May, and will likely be the largest to occur this season. The projected peak at Jensen, Utah, resulting from the combined flows of the Yampa River and Flaming Gorge is approximately 22,300 cfs. Green River flow levels of 15,000 cfs, measured at Jensen, Utah, have been requested by the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program scientists. The current projections from the Yampa River combined with maximum powerplant capacity from Flaming Gorge will likely meet the Recovery Program requested flows.

There are critical spawning beds in the Green River downstream of the confluence of the Green River and the Yampa River. At the present time, the endangered fish are starting to spawn. By timing the high powerplant releases to match the runoff peak of the Yampa River, two critical needs will be met. First, the combined high flows of the two rivers will ensure that sediment which washes downstream will not be re-deposited on the spawning bars and secondly, the high flows will carry the larval razorback suckers into flooded lowlands which are historic critical nursery habitat for the fish.

Scientists believe that a high flow regime of 18,600 cfs or greater for a duration of fourteen days at Jensen, Utah, greatly assists the ability of larval razorback suckers to enter into the flooded lowlands for nursery habitat. It is possible that with Flaming Gorge at powerplant capacity, flows at Jensen, Utah, will be at or above 18,600 cfs. If flows at Jensen, Utah, are at or above 18,600 cfs for at least 10 days, Reclamation will consider bypassing to achieve the 18,600 cfs target at Jensen, Utah, for fourteen days.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has been consulted concerning the impacts of the releases to the rainbow trout fishery below the dam. While the flows during this period will make fishing the river more difficult, no adverse impacts to the fishery are expected.

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