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Our Goals.

The Committee for a Healthy Rio Grande: What We’d Like to See from Rio Grande Reservoir Operations.

 

Simply put, The Committee for a Healthy Rio Grande wants to see the Rio Grande Cooperative Project become a reality.  After nearly 13 years and $30 million in state funding it’s past time for implementing the promised strategies for “timed flow releases” to enhance both the recreational potential and the environmental health of the Rio Grande.  The stated goal of a truly multi-purpose reservoir will not be realized until such strategies are in place.

 

Specific recommendations related to stream flows:

 

  • Work with stakeholders to use the boatable days tool specified in the Rio Grande Stream Management Plan (RGSMP) to manage releases to enhance recreational boating and fishing.

  • Develop strategies, with appropriate stakeholder involvement to, as closely as possible, meet the summer and winter minimum flows (e.g., 31cfs) recommended in the RGSMP.

  • Using a “combination of data models,” as recommended in the RGSMP, develop optimum flow targets.

  • Identify stream flow augmentation strategies to address periods of water quality impairment (e.g., high water temperatures and/or low oxygen levels) for aquatic life in the Rio Grande.

  • Keep flows consistent from October to April to support spawning brown trout. (RGSMP)

  • Flow changes should not exceed 25% in any one day.  (RGSMP)

  • “Utilize partnerships and voluntary agreements among water managers to meet aquatic habitat targets.”  (RGSMP). The Colorado Water Trust could help in this effort.

  • Provide daily information expected flows which are readily available on-line.

  • Ensure there are adequate monitoring locations to identify water impairment triggers.

  • Establish performance indicators to help evaluate progress in meeting flow strategy targets.

  • Establish a multi-discipline oversight body to routinely (e.g., yearly) report on how well actual flow releases are meeting stream management goals.

 

Additional Recommendations:

  • Continue to advocate for conservation easements along the Rio Grande corridor.

  • Add gauges between 30 Mile and Wagon Wheel gap (e.g., Fern Creek, Marshall Park and the airport).  Gauges should monitor CFS, temperature, turbidity – with the data web site available.

  • Allow off-channel diversions (length limited) for recreational facilities.

  • Study sediment transport from sources above and below the Reservoir, design remediation and seek funding to implement.

  • Increase CPW monitoring of fish and aquatic invertebrates populations and make the data available to the public.

  • Pursue funding with environmental non-profits to aid USFS and BLM in developing recommendations to better manage location and timing of livestock grazing in riparian corridors.

  • Seek funding to aid USFS and BLM, counties, and municipalities in enforcing riparian corridor protections

  • Improve angling and boating access (parking and boat ramps) at Rio Grande and Continental reservoirs, the Marshall Park and Wagon Wheel Gap takeouts, and parking at the old hatchery site below Creede.

  • Continue to ensure safe boating passage past man-made obstructions at high and low flow levels from 30 Mile to WWG and below.

  • Expand the number of Rio Grande Cutthroat restoration projects.

  • Increase instream low water/high temperature refuge sites for fish and other aquatic organisims.

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