Flaming Gorge Technical Working Group

April 12, 2012, 3:30 p.m.

Meeting Record

Attending: 

Service (USFWS) –Kevin McAbee

UCRIP – Tom Chart, Jana Mohrman, Kevin Bestgen

Reclamation (BOR) – Heather Hermansen, Malcolm Wilson, Dave Speas

Western (WAPA) – Clayton Palmer, Jerry Wilhite

Argonne National Lab – Kirk LaGory

Tom Chart with the Recovery Program gave an update on the status of the Stirrup 

Floodplain. Matt Breen with UDWR indicated that Stirrup has been pumped full and 

observed that it is holding water. It was ready to go a couple of weeks ago. If hydrology 

conditions improve, the hope is that during spring runoff it will connect as quickly as 

possible. 

Dave Speas reiterated that Reclamation understands the LTSP takes priority this year and 

the secondary objective is research on the Stirrup Floodplain. Current hydrology 

indicates that connection flows to Stirrup Floodplain are unlikely. The Recovery Program 

agreed that the primary objective of the LTSP is timing of the larval trigger set out in 

Table 2 in the Study Plan (matrix). 

Reclamation reviewed the draft FGTWG proposed flow and temperature 

recommendations for 2012 that incorporates the April forecast of the April-July volumes. 

Flaming Gorge forecasted unregulated inflows decreased to 83% of the 30-year average. 

The Flaming Gorge Flow Recommendation classification based on the historic period of 

record (1963-2011) is 69 percent exceedance, which places it in the average (below 

median) classification. Continued decreases in the forecast will likely place the Flaming 

Gorge classification in moderately dry. 

Forecasted Yampa River Basin April-July flows are 54% of the 1980-2010 average. The 

median seasonal daily peak flow on Yampa River is 6,370 cfs with a 10% exceedance 

probability of a daily peak above 10,000 cfs. The Flow Recommendations classification 

based on the historic period of record (1922-2011) is 90 percent exceedance, which 

places it in the dry hydrologic condition. The current forecast is not promising for 

meeting the secondary objective of the Recovery Program research request to connect 

Stirrup Floodplain at 15,000 cfs for a minimum of 5 consecutive days. The dry Yampa 

River conditions lead Reclamation to advocate meeting the moderately dry or dry 

hydrologic classification targets this year.

Heather Hermansen summarized her analysis of three different ranges of operating 

criteria as compared against historic releases (2006-2012) that would meet both the 

timing and flow target levels in the Larval Trigger Study Plan (LTSP). Table 2 in the 

LTSP contains a matrix detailing the flow target levels. The three operating patterns are:
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• Historic FG Releases Shifted to Occur during Larval Presence

• Longer Duration Releases, Limited to Power Plant Capacity, that Coincide 

with the Yampa River Peak and Occur during Larval Presence

• Higher Magnitude Releases, Limited to Full Bypass Capacity, Shifted to 

Occur during Larval Presence

Current conditions correlate with water year 2007. The timing of releases from Flaming 

Gorge Dam in historic dry years has generally coincided with the presence of larvae in 

the system. While the discussion paper conveyed beneficial information, there are a few 

items that need to be revised and Heather agreed to make those revisions.

Western questioned why Reclamation produced a historic analysis of FG operations 

rather than a prospective look at operations for 2012, as has been done in prior April 

FGTWG meetings. Reclamation’s objective was to respond to requests by the FGTWG 

members and action items outlined in the LTSP to provide a historic analysis of different 

operating patterns that time FG releases to coincide with larval presence. Heather will 

provide some information on analog years and potential flow operations to the group.

Kevin McAbee indicated there is uncertainty this year with the moderately dry 

conditions. The Service is looking for current information on the best conditions for 

razorback sucker. Kevin Bestgen asserted that 1994 was a good production year with 

extended duration of access to Stewart Lake. A similar year would provide good 

information in the moderately dry cell of the matrix. Dry conditions tend to favor the 

Colorado pikeminnow during the base flow season rather than razorback sucker 

benefiting from spring peak flows. 

Reclamation discussed the potential of bypass releases to augment Yampa River flows in 

order to achieve higher flows in Reach 2 during larval presence. The Service questioned 

the utility of shaping releases with bypass in order to achieve 14,000 cfs for one or two 

days at the expense of the base flows. The Recovery Program and the Service are 

inclined to look at duration rather than magnitude. Moderately dry and dry targets in 

Reach 2 are ≥ 8,300 cfs with research and monitoring targeting the Stewart Lake 

floodplain. The Recovery Program, Service, Western and Reclamation unanimously 

agreed to follow the matrix outlined in the LTSP rather than shape releases to achieve 

higher targets in wetter hydrologic classifications. 

Reclamation indicated that if bypass flows in conjunction with Yampa River flows did 

not meet the Reach 2 targets outlined in the matrix then Flaming Gorge Dam would be 

cut back. Reclamation and Western support utilizing bypass to augment flows under 

current conditions to meet the Reach 2 target of ≥ 8,300 cfs for at least one week. 

Reclamation’s willingness to use bypass flows this year will be discussed with 

landowners at the Working Group meeting in order to disclose the impacts of the LTSP. 

Dave Speas will send out list of primary contacts for real-time coordination of larval 

presence during spring runoff. Reclamation acknowledges that communication during 

spring runoff is the practical matter. Bruce Haines will provide real-time information of 
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larval presence and will be able to characterize the number of fish captured. Kevin 

Bestgen’s analysis of thermograph data indicates that in most years the first appearance 

of larvae in the system occurs during a continued warming trend with temperatures 

around 12 C. 

The next meeting will be scheduled the second week of May.

Action Items:

Heather Hermansen will provide potential 2012 impacts looking at analog years. 

Dave Speas will distribute the contact list for real-time coordination of larval presence.