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<br />Town of New Castle - Colorado RiVer Diversion <br />July 28-29, 2003 <br /> <br />Agenda Item 21f <br /> <br />during periods of low flow. In addition, theTown's sole source water supply system is vulnerable to <br />forest fire hazard, as was experienced in 2002. On June 22,2002, lightning started the Spring Creek <br />Fire just north of New Castle in the White River National Forest. The fire ultimately burned a total of <br />13,490 acres and has damaged a considerable portion of the East Elk Creek watershed. Signifieant <br />water quality problems, and damage associated with sediment and ash-laden runoff, are anticipated <br />during periods of heavy rain and snowmelt runoff. <br /> <br />The Town's existing water supply facilities consist of a diversion struCture on East Elk Creek that <br />supplies water to ,adjacent sedimentation pond. From the pond, water is supplied to the Town's <br />water treatment plantloeated in Elk Creek Subdivision. From the water plant, potable water is <br />supplied to the Town's distribution system consisting of a variety of pipes ranging in size from 16" <br />diameter down to 6" diameter. The distribution system also consists of two pump stations and three <br />water storage tanks. The tanks are 300,000 gallons, 1,000,000 gallons and 800,000 gallons in size. <br />The Town's current population is 2,628. The Town serves about 1001 domestic and commerciaV <br />industrial water taps, and has an average annual water use of about 400 acre-feet. <br /> <br />Feasibility Studies <br /> <br />The Town, in conjunction with its engineer Schmueser Gordon Meyer of Glenwood Springs, has <br />completed a feasibility study in accordance with CWCB guidelines. The study includes an <br />assessment of alternatives available for increasing the reliability of the Town's raw water supply. <br /> <br />The Town of New Castle <br /> <br />The Town of New Castle is a loeal governmental public entity in Garfield County, situated <br />approximately 10 miles west of Glenwood Springs. It was incorporated in 1888. The Town's Utility <br />Fund (water and sewer) is operated as an enterprise fund. <br /> <br />Water Riahts <br /> <br />Currently the Town's sole source of water supply is a water right on East Elk Creek for 2.67 cfs with <br />an appropriation date of 1889. The primary source of water for the new project is an absolute <br />water right of 3.0 cfs protected under the Green Mountain Reservoir Historic Users Pool off of the <br />Colorado River. In addition, the Town has a long term contract with the U.S. Bureau of <br />Reclamation for 400 acre-feet of water from Ruedi Reservoir, as a back-up for-the new diversion. <br /> <br />Proiect Description <br /> <br />The purpose of this project is to mitigate the impacts of drought and wildfire on the Town of New <br />Castle's water supply. The main objective is to ensure that the town has a reliable water supply in both <br />quantity and quality. Four alternatives were considered to meet these objectives: <br /> <br />1. No action alternative. <br />2. East Elk Creek Mitigation - Construct sediment removal structures on East Elk Creek <br />upstream of the water treabnent facility. Purchase senior water rights on Main Elk <br />Creek and/or change the point of diversion to minimize the risk of administrative <br />curtailment. <br />3. New Well Field - Develop a well field to provide an alternate source of water supply. <br />4. Colorado River Diversion - Develop an alternate source of water supply from the <br />Colorado River. <br /> <br />Page 2 of 7 <br /> <br />