The
hoped for outcome from the Dolores River Dialogue is an agreement
with water users and water managers to either change operation
of McPhee Reservoir so that water releases result in larger downstream
flows, or to make water available for purchase or lease to downstream
recreation and conservation users. Technical experts from the Natural
Heritage Institute and The Nature Conservancy are assisting with
this endeavor.
Scientific Studies and What We are Doing
The DRD, in keeping with the Plan to Proceed, has completed a Hydrology Report and a Core Science Report addressing the geomorphology, riparian ecology and warm and cold water fisheries on the Dolores River below McPhee Reservoir. The integration of information from the hydrology and core science reports into a Correlation Report is being used to evaluate strategies involving spill and base flow management and enhancement as well as in-channel restoration efforts. The
DRD is committed to the systematic monitoring and evaluation of ecological benefits and water management parameters to support good decision making and the efficient allocation of resources. Opportunities for ecological improvements within water management parameters are being explored using the DRD Flow Options Opportunity and Constraints Matrix which is currently under development.
The Big Gypsum field site is being used to evaluate the ecological response of the Dolores River to various flow, spill management and restoration opportunities resulting from a combination of weather conditions, water management decisions and restoration experiments.
