WSP09194 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY BACKGROUND As with many Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) projects, such as the Dolores Project, from the time of authorization and original designs there were significant changes in the demand for water. The new demands for water have placed significant pressures on the Dolores Water Conservancy District (District) to meet the needs of traditional beneficiaries, as well as address recreational and environmental concerns, However, stored water in McPhee Reservoir is fully allocated requiring innovation and cooperation among all parties if these emerging needs are to be met. The competing pressures became extremely clear during the 1989-1990 drought period, prompting the District and BOR to engage in serious discussions regarding the provision of instream flows that would adequately protect and maintain downstream fishery resources, while preserving to the greatest degree possible the Project benefits for irrigators. In 1995, these . discussion culminated in an a eement between BOR and the Distri wh' , to e completed and instituted a change from flow release to pooled releases from McPhee Iteservofr'to meet instream flow-needs. . ~.~.-.,.,,- -,- ------'--"._.~_._------ Water for Everyone Tomorrow PACKage, WETPACK, is a concept intended to find ~ays to not only provide fishery water but to address the broader, long-term water needs of the Montelores Community, Growth, urbanization, concerns for environmental and recreational values, and the community's desire to preserve its agricultural character, challenge the District to continue its efforts to identify viable sources of additional water, The District has conducted reconnaissance level studies of water demands, water sources, facility components, and alternative plans to evaluate methods to provide additional water to the District beneficiaries, These evaluations are summarized in this Executive Summary from information included in the Reconnaissance Report, WATER DEMANDS There are two significant water demands to be addressed in the WETP ACK. Additional Water for Fishery: The biologists who manage the fishery maintain that a pool of at least 36,500 acre-feet is needed. The District is working with other interests to develop or acquire the additional 3,300 acre-feet for the fishery pool to meet the 36,500 acre-foot goal, as a part WETP ACK. Increased Irrigated Acreage: The adoption of a fishery release pool required the District to provide 3,900 acre-feet of Project water for the downstream fishery that would otherwise have been available for water supply to the irrigators. Thus, the District is committed to mitigating this impact by developing up to 6, I 00 acres of additional irrigated acres within the Full Service irrigated area, E~ -I