Reducing water flow in the Arkansas River was among discussion topics Thursday during the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area Citizen Task Force meeting in Salida.

Officials reported multi-agency efforts reduced river flow by about 150 cubic feet per second since Tuesday. Monday at Salida the river was at 668 cfs and by Thursday afternoon it was 580 cfs.

Colorado Springs Utilities was able to reduce flow by 120 cfs by making a "paper exchange" of 4,300 acre feet from Pueblo Reservoir to Turquoise Lake.

In addition, Colorado Springs made a river exchange of 30 cfs to store in Twin Lakes and release from Pueblo Reservoir. The 150 cfs will again be released from upstream by about the end of April, task force member Abby Ortega, said.

"It was a great first step by multiple agencies after many different impasses," Rod Patch, task force member, said. "But we still need to do more to bring the level down farther to protect the fish biologically and the fishery."

Snowpack in the Arkansas River watershed, 146 percent of average, is similar to levels in 1984 - highest in recent history.

Anticipated higher river flow prompted recreation area officials to enact high water contingencies to provide safe water for recreational use.

AHRA issues advisements to private and commercial boaters and recommends not running certain parts of the river during high water.

"If it becomes impossible to boat one area we can make other areas available to provide similar water," Robert White, recreation area park manager said.

Three sections of the river listed in the advisement are Pine Creek at 1,250 cfs, Numbers 2,400 cfs and the Royal Gorge at 3,200 cfs.

If flow reaches those levels at the specified locations, it would be highly recommended that commercial rafters move trips to sites where there would be little impact on other users.

Contingency provides for high water equipment advisements.

"This will allow us to run safe trips," Bob Hamel, task force chairman, said.

On another topic, Mike Hickman, Lake County Commissioner reported regarding Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel status.

Hickman said wording in a letter sent by the Environmental Protection Agency was "so strong it prompted us to declare an emergency."

He said the press blew the emergency out of proportion immediately, and Lake County Commissioners have taken "a lot of heat."

"I would do it again in a heartbeat," he said. "Because the press got involved, we started to get things done."

Hickman reported the agency won't be able to pump water from the mine pool above the mine drainage tunnel until mid-June. Meanwhile, Lake County remains under a state of emergency.

"I am concerned and disappointed it has been pushed back another month, but we are confident we are getting the help," Hickman said.

Task force member Tim Glenn asked what long term goals are.

"The hydrologist for the EPA commented what we're drilling is a good size well (to lower water pressure in the blocked drainage tunnel). Once we are down to a certain level, this will be the permanent fix," Hickman said.

Agency officials are building a dam or vault within the drainage tunnel from which they plan to pump water.

Regarding monitoring of water quality in the Arkansas River below the Leadville inflows, Colorado Division of Wildlife officials reported they are taking water samples above California Gulch, at Leadville and at Buena Vista.

Wildlife officials will also begin an exhaustive study in May in connection with brown trout in the river.

Hickman said water being pumped from the Gaw Shaft is "not as good as treated water," but good enough and it is being diluted in the Arkansas River.

Greg Policky, division aquatic biologist, reported fry numbers were down during the past few years, but stream standards aren't setting off alarms.

Other fish stress such as whirling disease or the cumulative effect of whirling disease and water chemistry might also be coming into play.