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<br />Colorado River Water Conservation District. <br />November 19-21 , 2003 <br /> <br />Agenda Item 8a <br />(Updated November 26, 2003) <br /> <br />This alternative was rejected because the recovery goals and obligations of the Endangered <br />Species Recovery Program, Yampa River Management Plan would not be met without <br />additional water supplies. By relying on water from Steamboat Lake and Stagecoach Reservoir <br />only, major transit losses would be experienced and the full allotment of water necessary for the <br />Recovery Program could not be delivered. Also, the Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District <br />has advised the River District that no water would be available from Stagecoach Reservoir for <br />fish recovery purposes. <br /> <br />Alternative 2 - Enlarge Elkhead Reservoir by raising the existing dam on the downstream face. <br />This alternative would utilize the existing dam structure as the upstream face and partial <br />foundation for the enlarged dam. A new spillway and outlet works will be constructed as well as <br />stabilization of the entire structure. This alternative was selected based on acceptable cost <br />estimates, ability to maintain water conveyance and flood storage during construction and <br />overall constructibility of the structure. <br /> <br />Alternative 3 - Enlarge Elkhead Reservoir by constructing a new dam downstream of the <br />existing structure. This alternative was rejected due to excessive construction costs and <br />required relocations of adjacent properties was unacceptable. <br /> <br />Selected Alternative 2 consists of a 99-foot-high zoned earthfill embankment dam. The <br />existing dam crest will be raised by 24 feet. The dam will have a crest length of approximately <br />1,300 feet and a crest width of 32 feet. The emergency spillway will have a 76-foot-wide <br />approach channel located on the left abutment of the dam. The spillway crest will be a labyrinth <br />weir with 14-foot high walls constructed of reinforced concrete. The outlet system will consist of <br />a vertical 96-foot tall intake tower connected to an outlet control house. The outlet conduit will <br />be a 6-foot diameter steel concrete encased pipe constructed through the left abutment. <br /> <br />Also as part of the project, the existing state park facilities will be removed and replaced. The <br />replaced facilities will consist of six restroom structures, a new campground area, and three <br />new day use areas. The River District is coordinating all construction plans and activities with <br />the Division of State Parks. <br /> <br />The implementation schedule calls for completion of financial arrangements in the fall of 2004. <br />Construction will commence in late 2004 or early 2005 and is scheduled for completion in early <br />2007. <br /> <br />Financial Analvsis <br />The total estimated cost of the project is $19,500,000. Staff is recommending that the CWCB <br />Board approve a loan of $11,000,000 (57% of the estimated total project cost). The Recovery <br />Program will pay $8.5 million of the project costs. <br /> <br />The River District operations are divided into "Governmental Activities" and "Business-Type <br />Activities". The Governmental Activities are financed through the District's authority to levy <br />taxes. The Business-Type Activities are managed by an enterprise formally named the <br />Colorado River Projects Enterprise of the Colorado River Water Conservation District. The <br />Enterprise's water supplies are contracted for beneficial use pursuant to a water marketing <br />policy. The River District has the following sources and amounts of contract (available for sale) <br />water: <br /> <br />4 <br />