Follow-up on SBC Flows

Conversations with DWB management over concerns/objections pertaining to the ramp down rates below Gross on October 22, 2008 (80 cfs to 11 cfs in under 5 hours) which stranded fish in side channels and impacted spawning. Reached the end of the road last week.

Keep in mind when the flows are reduced to winter levels the entire lower section of South Boulder Creek is de-watered (we’re talking flows of .5 to 1.5 cfs compared to what it takes to sustain a minimal fishery 7.5 cfs). This is caused by no water flowing through the upstream canal due to concerns over icing. Also be aware that below Eldorado Springs the DWB takes no responsibility for flows caused by diversions.

The fact of the matter is that the DWB acted in line with a program agreed to/proposed by National TU some 10 years ago. Part of the ESI inclusion authored by TU is set forth below. It basically says that ramp down rates of 30 cfs per hr. for flows between 100 cfs and 40 cfs are permissible.

The DWB did acknowledge that the drastic reduction could have been handled differently & with less impact.

Three things to keep in mind:
1. These ramp down rates were established some years ago when the flows were much higher
2. TU acted on the basis of input received from the DOW.
3. These ramping rates and in stream flow must be a part of the permitting process for the expansion of Gross.

The silver lining is that CTU is very much aware of the problems caused by drastic flow reductions in the fall.

At the end of the day, we lost fish for no particularly good reason!