OCR Text |
Show intervening watershed area. These estimated gains exclude inflows from Water Hollow Creek and Layout Creek tributaries. The stream gains constitute 30 percent of the total annual flows and 55 percent of the winter flows that occur at U. S. G. S. Gaging Station No. 9- 2880. Under Unit conditions these gains would continue to flow in the stream for the next 9 miles to the confluence of Red Creek and Currant Creek. Minor irrigation diversions are made from Currant Creek in this reach of the stream. The stream gains are shown in Table C- 13. Flows of Currant Creek at U. S. Highway 40 are shown in Table C- 14 for both historical and proposed conditions of Unit operation. The " with Unit" flows were derived from seepages past Currant Creek Dam, releases for irrigation, spills during the spring, and normal stream gains. Proposed winter flows at this location would average about 65 percent of what occurs historically. Average peak flows would be reduced by about 66 percent and summer flows reduced by about 45 percent below the historical situation. The Forest Service stream habitat studyl09 indicated that a minimum flow of about 5 c. f. s. would be sufficient to preserve the existing fishery. Hydrological analyses conducted by the Bureau of Reclamation indicate that seepages and accretion flows would attain this flow at a point about 5 or 6 miles below Currant Creek Dam. Thus, fish populations should continue to thrive in 15 to 17 miles of the 22 miles of Currant Creek affected by the Bonneville Unit. Part of the Bonneville Unit plan would be to maintain a minimum 5- c. f. s. ( or natural flow) fishery bypass at Currant Creek- Co- op Creek Diversion Dam about 5 miles upstream from the reservoir. Historically this section of stream is largely dewatered at the diversion point each year. This bypass would provide enhancement of the fishery in Currant Creek from this point down to the reservoir. The Forest Service has notified the Strawberry Water Users Association that its use permit for Co- op Creek Canal would be terminated upon completion of the Currant Creek Reservoir and Strawberry Aqueduct. Wnen termination occurred it would mean a loss to the Strawberry Water Users and the Unit during periods of spill at Currant 317 |