Going with the (Fish) Flow: Contrasting Implementation of Additional Environmental Fish Flows and Natural Flows in Select Reservoirs of the Upper Colorado River Basin

The Green River is the Colorado River’s largest tributary, contributing a substantial volume of water to the Colorado River Basin that may be retained in reservoirs and utilized to generate hydroelectric power while maintaining important riparian and ecological habitat. Recently, two environmental fish flows for Flaming Gorge Dam along the Upper Green River have been proposed. The primary objective of this study was to assess the effect of these proposed environmental fish flows, in addition to a “run-of-the-river\" alternative, on reservoir storage and hydropower generation at Fontenelle, Flaming Gorge, and Lake Powell Reseroirs. Results obtained from Colorado River Simulation Software (CRSS) multi-run simulation models reveal that, for the years 2020-2060, implementation of both proposed environmental fish flows at Flaming Gorge Dam will decrease average monthly storage by 1.6% and increase annual hydropower generation by 0.1%. The environmental fish flow promoting elevated summer baseflows to advantage native Colorado pikeminnow had greater influence on these findings than did the environmental fish flow aimed to disadvantage non-native smallmouth bass. Over the same time period, the “run-of-the-river” alternative will decrease average monthly storage 2.2% and decrease annual hydropower generation 2.7%. These results provide Colorado River Basin water managers, scientists, and stakeholders with additional context regarding the potential future implementation these alternatives.

See readme.txt for explanation of resource contents.

格林河（Green River）是科罗拉多河（Colorado River）的最大支流，为科罗拉多河流域注入了可观的水量，这些水量可被留存于水库之中，用于水力发电，同时还能维持重要的河岸生态栖息地。
近期，针对格林河上游的火烈峡大坝（Flaming Gorge Dam），两项鱼类生态补水方案被提出。本研究的核心目标是评估这两项拟议的鱼类生态补水方案，以及“径流式运行”替代方案，对方特内尔水库、火烈峡水库与鲍威尔湖水库的储水量及水力发电量的影响。
研究人员采用科罗拉多河模拟软件（Colorado River Simulation Software, CRSS）的多轮模拟模型进行分析，结果显示：在2020至2060年期间，实施火烈峡大坝的两项鱼类生态补水方案，将使月均储水量降低1.6%，同时使年水力发电量提升0.1%。其中，旨在提升夏季基流以惠及本土科罗拉多铲颌鱼（Colorado pikeminnow）的生态补水方案，对该结果的影响要大于旨在抑制外来物种小口黑鲈（smallmouth bass）的生态补水方案。
同期，“径流式运行”替代方案将使月均储水量降低2.2%，并使年水力发电量减少2.7%。上述研究结果可为科罗拉多河流域的水资源管理者、科研人员与利益相关方提供有关未来实施这些替代方案的潜在参考背景。
有关本数据集资源的具体说明，请参阅readme.txt文件。