Laserfiche WebLink
<br />CWCB Construction Fund Grant Application <br />Grand Valley Water Management Project <br /> <br />6 <br /> <br />Protection of Conserved Water <br /> <br />The Orchard Mesa Check settlement provides the mechanism for Reclamation to declare a surplus <br />condition in Green Mountain Reservoir when the storage volume is above an agreed upon draw <br />down curve. Under this concept surplus waters would then be available for contract delivery to <br />the Grand Valley Power Plant, and other non-consumptive industrial uses, and indirectly to the <br />15-Mile Reach. From this point the water would be protected against future appropriators by the <br />instream flow right being sought by the Colorado Water Conservation Board. In exchange for this <br />additional discretion in Green Mountain Reservoir operations, the co-applicants (United States, <br />Grand Valley Water Users Association, and Orchard Mesa Irrigation District) and Grand Valley <br />Irrigation Company have agreed to limit their call for water rights administration to 1,950 cfs, i.e. <br />not exercise the power right during times of peak irrigation demand. To the extent that actual <br />irrigation demands fall below 1,950 cfs the power right can exercised to bring the cumulative call <br />amount to 1,950 cfs. <br /> <br />One of the attractive features of this concept is that it addresses the institutional problems <br />associated with utilizing reduced diversions from the Grand Valley Project for the benefit of the <br />endangered fish species. To the extent that the Grand Valley Project's reliance on Green <br />Mountain Reservoir storage is reduced it will create a more frequent and larger magnitude surplus <br />storage condition. <br /> <br />Operation studies conducted to determine the flow regime in the 15-Mile as a result of the <br />settlement and reduced demand conditions resulting from implementation of the Grand Valley <br />Water Management concept indicate that 15-Mile Reach flows can be significantly improved. <br />Reclamation has conducted a daily time step analysis for the 1994 water year. The results of this <br />analysis are available for review upon request. The CWCB staff are conducting an analysis of 15- <br />Mile Reach flow conditions under the Orchard Mesa Check settlement conditions and reduced <br />Grand Valley Project demands for the 1974 through 1991 period using the Colorado River <br />Decision Support System. <br /> <br />6. <br /> <br />For existing facilities indicate: <br /> <br />(a) the number of shareholders, , or <br />(b) the number of customers served 1,500. <br /> <br />Part B. - Description of the Project <br /> <br />1. Name of the project or facility: Grand Valley Water Management Canal System <br />Improvements <br />