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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ~~4jC!.1 ... .J ._ ... '- 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The City of Loveland, Colorado has a complex water supply system with respect to the number of different supply sources from which it may draw water. These sources include direct-flow rights on the Big Thompson River, ownership in a number of private irrigation ditch and reservoir companies, ownership of Colorado Big Thompson Project (CBT) units and ownership of Vindy Gap Project (VGP) units. The Loveland Vater Board has been engaged in planning activities to meet future water needs and to effectively manage the existing and future water resources of the City. Earlier master plan studies (1971 and 1974) for the City's water needs did not include an in-depth analysis of drought potential or of alternatives to mitigate drought impacts but did recommend annual purchases of additional water rights to meet future demands. Past studies, however, do not provide sufficient information to answer questions concerning the City's ability to provide a reliable supply of water for various combinations of projected demand and water rights acquisitions. Negotiations were concluded in Colorado Vater Court in 1985 concerning the "Transfer Decree" (Vater Case Number 82-CV-202A) which allows Loveland to divert a portion (based on shares owned) of river water irrigation withdrawals by certain ditches directly to 1) the Vater Treatment Plant, 2) the Dille Tunnel Inlet, and/or 3) the City's Green Ridge Glade reservoir. The Transfer Decree imposed several constraints, however, on the timing of withdrawals and the quantities that may be taken. These constraints were included in the evaluations of system yield and reliability performed in this study. In 1985 the Vater Board recommended that the City evaluate the need for increased reservoir capacity to meet future needs. In November of 1985, 1-1