WINDY GAP CONNECTIVITY CHANNEL TALKING POINTS
Environmental Assessment Comments
The Windy Gap Reservoir was placed on the mainstem of the Upper Colorado River in 1984. Aquatic habitat degradation below the reservoir was documented in the Nehring Study just after the turn of the 21st century. The study found that 38 percent of the macroinvertebrate species have disappeared including the giant stonefly along with 100 percent of the sculpin population. This degradation is attributed mostly to fine sedimentation and higher temperatures in the river caused by the dam and reservoir. Taking the Stream Channel of the Colorado River around the existing dam will result in positive changes to the river’s health and the entire ecosystem.
These are some of the anticipated aquatic habitat improvements and why Trout Unlimited is in support of this project:
The existing dam is a fish barrier. The Connectivity Channel will allow fish to freely move above and below the existing dam. Spawning fish will once again be able to return to the headwaters and fish movement during higher stream temperatures will allow fish to find cooler places in a larger river downstream.
The healthier sculpin populations and macroinvertebrate populations upstream of the reservoir will be able to migrate downstream and repopulate the species that have been lost.
The dam has stopped the downstream migration of gravel, an important part of a healthy river ecosystem.. The Connectivity Channel will allow gravel to migrate downstream and create a healthier stream geomorphology for the aquatic habitat.
The existing dam is responsible for fine sediment loading below the dam. Moving the Colorado River around the dam will create higher stream flows that will wash out existing sedimentation and prevent future fine sediment deposition. This will allow the lost bug species and the sculpin to return to a stream channel without future fine sedimentation issues.
The existing dam holds eutrophic - mineral rich - water that increases the nutrient loading downstream of the reservoir, increasing algae growth. The increased algae pulls much needed oxygen from the water harming all aquatic species. Nutrient loading can also exacerbate whirling disease.
The existing reservoir is built like a solar collector, wide and shallow. The Connectivity Channel will move water around the dam with enough velocity to minimize the solar gain of the river. Cooler stream temperatures will improve the habitat for both the fish and the bugs.
This project will result in replanting a mile of riparian zone that was lost when the reservoir was filled and help to reestablish the poor riparian vegetation below the reservoir.
This project will create a mile of new public fishing access on the Colorado River while improving the aquatic health of other downstream public fishing waters.
This project will result in no new taxes and will be paid for by Federal, State and Grand County grants and donations from Denver Water, Northern Water and others.
Please show your much needed support for this important project. Comments are due by March 10, 2022. Send your comments now to Greg Allington by email at windygap@adaptiveenviro.com or in writing to Adaptive Environmental Planning Inc, 2976 E. State St., Ste. 120 #431, Eagle, ID 83616.