WSP11224

• File Number: 8149.100
• Description: Miscellaneous Small Projects and Project Studies - NRCS-Ft Lyon Canal Co Limestone Graveyard Creeks
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 2/1/1994
• Author: Gronning Engineering
• Title: Ft Lyon Canal Company Water Transfer Alternatives Study Final Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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STATE OF COLORADO

Colorado Water Conservation Board
Department of Natural Resources

o

721 State Cen..nnial Building
1313 Shennan Street
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]

Roy Romer
Governor

Ken Salazar
Executive Director, DNR

Datie. C. We, P.E.
Director, CWCB

PREFACE

~

In SB 92-87, the Colorado General Assembly directed the Colorado Water Conservation
Board (CWCB) "to undertake an analysis of the alternative approaches to, and the results of
the transfer of agricultural water supplies from the Ft. Lyon Canal Company ("FLCe') to
alternative uses."

The first six chapters of this Final Study Report, constitute Phase 1 of the CWCB study.
During Phase I, the FLCC and surrounding region were examined in sufficient detail to
estimate the impacts of a large transfer of FLCC water. In addition, several potential
alternatives to the traditional method of transferring agriCultural water by dry-up of irrigated
acreage were eJ[amined. Based on Phase 1 of the study, it was determined that:

1. The potential impacts of a large transfer of water out of the FLCC could be devastating
to the remaining shareholders, to localllovernments and the tax base on which they rely,
and to providers of related agricultural services and businesses.

2. There were market forces and personal reasons leading some FLCC shareholders to look
for methods by which they could sell their water rights.

3. That temporary transfers of water to new uses in the Lower Arkansas Valley could meet
a variety of needs without the significant negative impacts of a large scale transfer of
water out of the region.

Based on these conclusions of Phase 1 of the study, Phase 2 was commenced, providing a .
conceptual design of a water bank to facilitate small scale temporary transfer of FLCC water
within the Lower Arkansas Valley. The CWCB's purpose in conducting this study was to provide
the FLCC and its shareholders with information and options for meeting the challenges facing