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Section 1 Report from the Director of Compact Negotiations . Minimum stream flows should address the variations in hydrology that occur during wet and dry years. . Rapid growth in Colorado and lack of available supplies or storage are significant challenges to meeting future water needs. . Recreation and the environment are key drivers in the basin and are important for economic health and quality of life; agriculture is especially important in the lower basin. . There is concern over a potential compact shortage during severe and sustained drought and potential impacts to in-basin supplies. . The development of water rights associated with trans-basin projects are a concern and their effect on in-basin supplies must be considered. Southwest . Overall water supply is available but getting sufficient infrastructure and water distribution will be a key challenge. . The Colorado River Compact places pressure on uses of the San Juan River because New Mexico's primary source of the upper Colorado River Basin supplies is the San Juan River. Gunnison . Growth in the headwaters will require additional water management strategies; Growth in the area between Ouray and Montrose is especially rapid. . Addressing agricultural water shortages in the upper portion of the basin is an important goal of the community; lack of financial resources is an impediment. . There is concern over possible future trans-basin diversions and the effect this might have on the basin's future. . Resolving federal issues is a priority. These issues include: resolving the National Park Service claims for flows in the Black Canyon, completion of the Blue Mesa/Aspinall reoperations EIS, and addressing Endangered Species issues in the Gunnison River near the confluence with the Colorado River main stem. Metro . Competition for water is fierce and it is unclear how much competition there is for the same water supplies. S:\lBC SUPPORnREPORT TO LEGISLATURE\SECTION 1 FINAL.DOC o ~\, ,,>.j~!~~. . The lack of any new major water storage in the last 20 years has led to reliance on non-renewable groundwater in Douglas, Arapahoe, and northern EI Paso (EI Paso County is in the Arkansas Basin) Counties. Explosive growth in these counties coupled with the lack of surface water supplies led to the creation of multiple small water districts and makes coordinated water development a challenge and less efficient especially in light of limited renewable / surface water supplies. . Water reuse and conservation are major components to meeting future water needs but this will put added pressure on agriculture as return flows diminish. . The urban landscape is very important to the economy and an important component to quality of life. North Platte . Storage, existing diversion structures and water right use classification for the Town of Walden, Jackson County's only incorporated municipality. . Forest management in light of the extensive mountain pine beetle epidemic and the potential damage to watersheds and water supplies from catastrophic wildland fire. . Quantification of available unappropriated waters within the basin. . Potential impacts from coal-bed methane development. . Consumptive uses and losses and high-altitude crop coefficients. . Gaining knowledge and understanding of the South Platte Decision Support System as it may affect the basin and historical documentation of irrigated acreage. Rio Grande . The Rio Grande Compact and the effects of sustained drought make new water development very difficult. . In the Rio Grande Valley, agricultural water use is at unsustainable levels and economic impacts of reducing irrigation use of groundwater supplies will be difficult to address. . Groundwater is a key component of water use in the basin. Current water uses and management of the Rio Grande Basin's aquifers are not sustainable; addressing this issue is critical. CDNI 1-7