From the Sky-Hi Daily News (Tonya Bina):
In accordance with federal guidelines, existing flows during these late-season months are maintained at a minimum of 40 cubic feet per second (cfs) in late August, and 20 cfs from early September to mid-October.
With the county’s purchased pumping of free water at times of the year when rivers are most stressed, flows on the Upper Colorado will increase to 65 cfs late August to mid-September, 50 cfs in the second half of September and 35 cfs in early October, aiding downstream users and overall river health.
Grand County Manager Lurline Underbrink Curran relayed to county commissioners at a county meeting on Aug. 17 that the surplus water the county pumps in agreement with the Northern Water Conservancy District shows that “Grand County taxpayers are willing to try and help the environment.”
This year’s arrangement will leave a balance of 240 acre-feet of Grand County water that can be carried over for release in 2011.
More Colorado River Basin coverage here.