Trout Unlimited, Environmental Defense Release Hydrologic Study

Today, Trout Unlimited and the Rocky Mountain Office of Environmental Defense released a hydrologic study by one of Colorado’s top engineering firms that confirms there is water available in McPhee reservoir on the Dolores River to protect fish habitat without damaging water users. The report is available on the web at: www.cotrout.org and www.environmentaldefense.org.

“In 1990, releases from McPhee reservoir for the downstream fishery were so low that many fish died,” said David Nickum, executive director of Colorado Trout Unlimited. “Since then, we’ve been working with other stakeholders to find more water for the fish. Some have suggested that the only way to get that water is to build another reservoir in the basin, but this study shows that we already have all the dams we need to provide water for both fish and irrigators.”

“The Dolores River system’s hydrology and water rights structure is complex, and we were unsure whether the reservoir could be managed a little differently to benefit the downstream fishery and recreation,” said Melinda Kassen, the Colorado director of the Western Water Project. “That is why we teamed up with Environmental Defense to commission a study that would tell us a lot more about the system.”

“The results have pleasantly surprised us,” added Kassen. “It appears that a significant amount of water from McPhee Reservoir simply isn’t being used and could be dedicated to fisheries without damaging other water uses. While we’ve been searching for water to help the fishery, it was right under our noses all along - in McPhee Reservoir.”

“The municipal demand for water from this project has never really materialized, so much of that water is not being used,” said Jim Martin, a senior attorney with Environmental Defense. “The report also confirms that less water is being used for irrigation, thanks to federal investments to make irrigation systems more efficient. While these improvements were designed to reduce salinity levels in the return flows, they also reduced the demand for water. Under these conditions, the first priority should be to protect the fishery.”

Added Martin, “New development has been proposed through WETPACK, the Water for Everyone Tomorrow PACKage. This study shows that we already have Water for Everyone Tomorrow, and it’s called McPhee Reservoir. Through cooperation on win-win solutions, we can meet the needs for fishery and recreation without harming other water users - and without building more dams.”