10-05-2010, 11:10 AM
HOT SULPHUR SPRINGS, Colo. - The Colorado Division of Wildlife is alerting anglers on the Colorado River through Grand County to be aware of a river rehabilitation project that will create unseasonably high flows above and below Windy Gap Reservoir beginning Wednesday, Oct. 6.
The increased flows are designed to restore channel conditions favorable to trout following an August silt removal project by Windy Gap's owner, Northern Water's Municipal Subdistrict. The project required lowering the reservoir's level, which increased sediment flow into the river below the dam. Biologists predict a 'flushing flow' Wednesday morning will assist in clearing sediment prior to the brown trout spawn in mid-October.
"Despite taking numerous precautions to minimize the amount of sediment moving downstream of Windy Gap during the silt removal project, some did make its way down," said Northern Water General Manager Eric Wilkinson. "We're happy that we have the water available to help improve trout habitat."
Beginning Wednesday morning, releases from the dam will increase the river's flow to 450 cubic feet per second. Outflow from the dam will then be stepped down through Friday, returning the river to normal seasonal levels. The Colorado River near Parshall is currently running at approximately 190 cfs. The expected 450 cfs flow is well below the river's capacity, which can peak above 2,500 cfs during peak spring runoff.
Prior to the Windy Gap releases, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Northern Water will begin releasing Windy Gap project water, which has been temporarily stored in Granby Reservoir. This release will rapidly increasing flow rates to 405 cfs, which will be maintained for 20 hours. Releases at Windy Gap will begin six hours later.
Increased flows may make it more difficult for anglers fishing the river and may create unsafe conditions for fly fishermen on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday on the stretch of river from below Windy Gap to Gore Canyon.
The areas where higher-than-average flows will be seen include the Colorado River through Hot Sulphur Springs and Kremmling. Anglers fishing Gore Canyon or beyond are unlikely to be affected by the increased flow because river topography and additional in-flows from other waters will minimize the impacts.
The project is a cooperative effort between Northern Water's Municipal Subdistrict, Grand County, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Division of Wildlife.
The increased flows are designed to restore channel conditions favorable to trout following an August silt removal project by Windy Gap's owner, Northern Water's Municipal Subdistrict. The project required lowering the reservoir's level, which increased sediment flow into the river below the dam. Biologists predict a 'flushing flow' Wednesday morning will assist in clearing sediment prior to the brown trout spawn in mid-October.
"Despite taking numerous precautions to minimize the amount of sediment moving downstream of Windy Gap during the silt removal project, some did make its way down," said Northern Water General Manager Eric Wilkinson. "We're happy that we have the water available to help improve trout habitat."
Beginning Wednesday morning, releases from the dam will increase the river's flow to 450 cubic feet per second. Outflow from the dam will then be stepped down through Friday, returning the river to normal seasonal levels. The Colorado River near Parshall is currently running at approximately 190 cfs. The expected 450 cfs flow is well below the river's capacity, which can peak above 2,500 cfs during peak spring runoff.
Prior to the Windy Gap releases, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Northern Water will begin releasing Windy Gap project water, which has been temporarily stored in Granby Reservoir. This release will rapidly increasing flow rates to 405 cfs, which will be maintained for 20 hours. Releases at Windy Gap will begin six hours later.
Increased flows may make it more difficult for anglers fishing the river and may create unsafe conditions for fly fishermen on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday on the stretch of river from below Windy Gap to Gore Canyon.
The areas where higher-than-average flows will be seen include the Colorado River through Hot Sulphur Springs and Kremmling. Anglers fishing Gore Canyon or beyond are unlikely to be affected by the increased flow because river topography and additional in-flows from other waters will minimize the impacts.
The project is a cooperative effort between Northern Water's Municipal Subdistrict, Grand County, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Division of Wildlife.