MetroSouthPlatteInterimBasinWaterSupplyNeedsReport

• Basin Roundtable: Metro
• Additional Roundtables: South Platte
• Title: Interim Water Supply & Needs Repot for the South Platte Basin & Denver/South Metro Counties
• Author: CDM
• Basin Roundtables - Doc Type: General Resources

South Platte ·
Basin and
Interim Water Supply and Needs Report for the . rover/South '
South Platte Basin and Denver/South Metro Counties Uo&9UQ~~

Section 1 Introduction

1.1 Preface.... .... ............ .... ............ .... ............ .... ............ .... ............ .... ............ .... ............. ......... ....1-1

1.2 The I nterbasin Compact Process.............................................................................................. 1-4
1.3 The Statewide Water Supply Initiative.......................................................................................1-4

1.4 Major Findings of SWSI.............................................................................................................1-5

1.5 Major Findings in the South Platte Basin and Denver/South Metro Counties............................ 1-6

1.6 SWSI Phase 2 ........................................................................................................................... 1-6

1.6.1 The 80 Percent Solution for M&I............................................................................... 1-7
1.6.2 The 20 Percent M&I Gap, Agricultural Shortages, and Environmental and
Recreational Enhancements..................................................................................... 1-7
1.7 An Overview of the Interim Water Supply and Needs Report for the South Platte Basin and
Denver/South Metro Counties................................................................................................... 1-8

Section 2 Statewide Demographic, Economic, and Social Setting
2.1 Colorado's Historical and Projected Demographics .................................................................. 2-1

2.1.1 Population .................................................................................................................2-1

2.1.2 Add itional Demog raph ic Information......................................................................... 2-2

Section 3 Physical Environment of the South Platte Basin and Denver/South
Metro Counties

3.1 Statewide Overview................................................................................................................... 3-1

3.2 South Platte Basin Physical Environment................................................................................. 3-2

3.2.1 Geography................................................................................................................ 3-2

3.2.2 Climate...................................................................................................................... 3-2

3.2.3 Topography............................................................................................................... 3-2

3.2.4 Land Use.................................................................................................................. 3-2

3.2.5 Surface Geology....................................................................................................... 3-2

3.2.6 Surface Water........................................................................................................... 3-6

3.2.7 Groundwater............................................................................................................. 3-6

3.2.8 Water Quality............................................................................................................ 3-9

3.2.9 Areas of Environmental Concern, Special Attention Areas, and Threatened
and Endangered Species .......................................................................................3-10
3.2.10 Energy and Mineral Resources............................................................................... 3-1 0

Section 4 Legal Framework for Water Use

4.1 Overview of State Water Laws.................................................................................................. 4-1
4.1.1 Colorado's Prior Appropriation System..................................................................... 4-1
4.1.1.1 The Priority System................................................................................. 4-2

4.1.1.2 Beneficial Use......................................................................................... 4-2

a
DEPAIUMENT OF
NATURAL
RESOURCES

CDIVI

. i~"" l.~V.~/,#&

~,
-q

· (~,. r ..

S:\1177\Basin Reports\South Platte\TOC_South Platte.doc