Here’s a look at the proposed Flaming Gorge pipeline (Regional Watershed Supply Project) from the viewpoint downstream of Flaming Gorge Dam, from Mary Bernard writing for the Vernal Express. From the article:
“This will not be a good thing,” says Bob Leake, regional water rights engineer. “We already have times when we operate below minimal flows on the Green River now.”[…]
“Flaming Gorge already operates at minimum flows, which means we barely break even,” Leake says. That means the reservoir is never full and managers struggle to maintain water levels. Leake explains that the reservoir operates for two singular reasons; “first, for hydroelectric power and second, to protect the endangered fish on the river.” Reduced flows would likely impact the Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, humpback chub and bonytail, which are endangered fish species. Once thriving species, they are now managed by the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and monitored under a three-state implementation plan.
More coverage from Jeff Gearino writing for the Casper Star Tribunt:
An estimated 200-plus residents came out Tuesday night to express their disapproval of the proposed privately funded trans-basin water diversion project…Sweetwater County residents vowed to fight the project that, which they said would hurt industry, curtail future growth, threaten a world-class fishery and impact the livelihoods of cities such as Green River and neighboring Rock Springs, which depend on the Green River for their very existence.