WSP12360

• File Number: 8040.960
• Description: Section D General Studies - Dams
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 4/11/2003
• Author: Denver Water
• Title: Williams Fork Hydroelectric Project - FERC Number 2204 - Scoping Document 1 - For the Relicensing of the Williams Fork Reservoir Hydroelectric Project
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Scoping Document I
Williams Fork Hydroelectric Project
FERC Project No. 2204

were to ensure protection of the aquatic resources on the Williams Fork River below the dam.
The Project releases water into the Williams Fork River, which merges with the Colorado River
approximately two miles downstream. Per the agreement and Article 33 of the existing license
(issued by the FERC in 1957), Denver Water is required to release a minimum of 15 cubic feet
per second (cfs) of water or the inflow, whichever is less, from the dam at all times. Article 34
further requires that during the irrigation season, when downstream senior right holders divert
Williams Fork River water before the confluence with the Colorado River, that Denver Water
must release the 15 cfs, in addition to the quantities required by senior decrees.

In 1985 and 1986, Denver Water acquired the agricultural properties and senior water rights on
the Williams Fork River below the Williams Fork dam. Denver Water then sold a portion of that
land to the State of Colorado but retained the water rights. Denver Water currently leases the
remaining agricultural land and accompanying water rights to private individuals. To ensure that
the required minimum streamflow is satisfied to the Colorado River, Denver Water has entered
into agreements with these private individuals, which gives Denver Water the authority to call
out their diversions when flows are low.

The original license authorized a power plant capacity of 3 megawalls (MW). The Williams
Fork Dam is a concrete arch structure that includes a spillway section. as well as an outlet works
and penstock. In addition to the concrete dam, a 2,000-foot long earth dam (west dike) closes off
a low saddle on the west side of the reservoir. The Project's existing license expires on
December 31,2006. Under the Federal Power Act, the FERC may issue new licenses for up to
50 years. However, recent trends have shown the FERC to be issuing new licenses for 30-year
and 40-year ternls. Denver Water will submit a license application that may request the FERC to
first review the application for a small hydroelectric power project exemption or, alternatively
for a new license with its current capacity.

3.0 SCOPING

Scoping is the process used to identify issues, concerns, and opportunities associated with the
proposed action. The scoping process, according to NEPA, should be conducted early in the
planning stage of a project. Denver Water encourages statements from the participating parties
on issues to be addressed for the development of the PDEA.

In addition to accomplishing NEP A requirements. the results of the scoping process will help
Denver Water focus its efforts and its application on the issues of significance as identified by
the participating parties.

3.1 Purpose of Scoping
The purpose of scoping is to identify:

. Significant environmental and socio-economic issues of the Project that require
data collection and study;

. Issues that do not require detailed analysis;

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