Seemingly erratic flows from Flaming Gorge Dam are being blamed for poor fishing conditions this spring on the Green River between the dam and Little Hole.

And those poor fishing conditions mean bad news for businesses operating in Dutch John and around the Flaming Gorge area who rely on the river to keep cash flowing. When the fishing is unusually bad, anglers either don't show up or cut guided trips short. That means they cut vacations short, spend fewer nights in area hotel rooms, and eat less in area restaurants.

And an even bigger fear is the perception of the river that visiting anglers may get, possibly keeping them from returning in the future.

These concerns set the stage for a June 11 meeting in Dutch John. The meeting was an opportunity for open discussion between members of the Green River Outfitters and Guides Association, the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Western Area Power Administration, and the public.

While area fishing guides are saying they have never seen erratic flows like those this spring, the Bureau of Reclamation says flows are actually similar to those seen in past years.

"I do think the flows are fluctuating more than people have seen in years," said Heather Patno, a hydraulic engineer with the bureau.

The flows do not match last spring's daily release pattern, which didn't fluctuate as much as historically. The area has seen 10 years of drought conditions and this year has experienced a spring with near record rainfall. The more erratic flows, combined with more than normal rain and colder than normal temperatures not only have the fish in a state of confusion but have fisherman and outfitters in a state of concern.

The range of fluctuations have actually been greater in the past. Before 1992, Flaming Gorge Reservoir operated as a peaking unit for hydropower and flows could go from 800 cfs to 4,000 cfs several times a day as the peak of electrical demand was followed.

The flows this spring may be the same as they were in 1998-99, but they are seemingly more detrimental to the river and fishing now. That may be because of other environmental conditions today that were not present then, such as the New Zealand mud snail and a build up of ash from the 2002 Mustang fire.

Regardless of whether the flows are normal or not, the fishery seems to be affected.

Flows have been fluctuating between 850 cfs and 2,500 cfs every day. The changing water levels cause severe swings in water temperature, which can keep fish hunkered down on the bottom in the middle of the river.

Not only do the fluctuating flows affect fish, they can also be dangerous for wading anglers because water levels can rise quickly. The biggest change has been taking place around 3 p.m, but times are always subject to change even when posted.

The releases are made, in part, to generate electricity for the Western Area Power Administration. Flaming Gorge is a major supplier of power for the West. Its ability to respond to changing electricity demands throughout the day is key to the value of the facility.

“Are there ways to relieve the harsh detrimental effects? Yes," said Ed Vidmar with the Bureau of Reclamation.

Vidmar noted the sentiment expressed at the meeting was largely about the “power issue.”

“They wanted power to listen to them," he said.

And it worked. Officials with the Western Area Power Administration and the Bureau of Reclamation were credited with showing genuine concern for the economics of the businesses in the Flaming Gorge area. The day after the meeting, both entities talked about possible remedies.

"We came to a conclusion that Western could live with, that would also meet the desires we heard from the guides," Vidmar said.

Two days later changes were taking place. The flows were within necessary parameters, and a new pattern of release was announced with an average daily release of 1,659 cfs. The release has also been backed up to 5 a.m. and has a steady flow until 1 p.m. when there will be a slight increase.

Finally, at 2 p.m. there will be a big release, so the fluctuation will not be right in the peak of fishing hours.

There will be a Flaming Gorge Working Group meeting in Vernal on June 30 at 7 p.m. at Western Park. The group is an open public forum for information exchange between the Bureau of Reclamation and the stakeholders of Flaming Gorge Dam. The public is encouraged to attend and comment on operations and plans presented by the bureau. For information contact Ed Vidmar at 801-379-1182.

SIDEBAR

There will be a Flaming Gorge Working Group meeting in Vernal on June 30 at 7 p.m. at Western Park. The group is an open public forum for information exchange between the Bureau of Reclamation and the stakeholders of Flaming Gorge Dam. The public is encouraged to attend and comment on operations and plans presented by the bureau. For information contact Ed Vidmar at 801-379-1182