NorthPlatteBasinWaterSupplyandNeedsReport

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Section 8 Options for the North Platte Basin '.1111 States. CWCB's instream flow programs have been in existence since 1973 and have protected approximately 8,500 miles of Colorado streams and approximately 500 natural lake levels. The CWCB is authorized to acquire and file water rights to protect the natural environment to a reasonable degree. As part of the SWSI process, many of the SWSI Basin Roundtable members expressed the desire to explore other mechanisms beyond CWCB's flow authorities. . To date, other than through CWCB's instream flow program, there is no coordinated process or widely- accepted method for estimating recreational and environmental flow enhancement goals or prioritizing stream segments or ecological areas for such enhancement 8.2 Implications of Uncertainty in Identified Projects/Processes and Existing Supplies In considering the M&lldentified Projects and Processes, the SWSI team and SWSI Basin Roundtable members recognized that there may be significant uncertainty in the implementation of many of these projects and processes. That is, any project that is not yet fully implemented could fail to result in the full amount envisioned, for various reasons. Reasons for projects not being fully implemented could include: . Competition for available water supplies as many providers have identified the same future sources. . Identified Projects and Processes may yield less or store less than currently envisioned due to permitting constraints or other factors. Some projects may never be permitted or otherwise never be constructed due to implementation constraints. . The ability to develop water supply projects may be affected by the management of flows and habitat for endangered species as most water supply development projects will require certain federal permits. . Areas depending on non-renewable, non-tributary groundwater have reliability and sustainability concerns. Continued pumping of non-renewable groundwater to meet existing demands may become problematic due to declining water levels resulting in reduced well yields. . Agricultural and smaller water providers will have difficulty funding water development projects. CONI 8-2 Without judging the merits of any individual water provider or basin's Identified Project and Processes, SWSI sought to understand the potential implications of the uncertainty associated with the Identified Projects and Processes. It was assumed that the projected additional savings associated with Level 1 conservation are certain to occur, because low-flow devices will continue to be installed in new fixtures and replace older, higher-flow devices in response to the National Energy Policy Act of 1992. Initial uncertainty levels of 25 percent and 50 percent were applied to the yield of the Identified Projects and Processes to illustrate the importance of currently-identified solutions in meeting Colorado's future water demands. Figure 8-1 indicates the implications of uncertainty in the Identified Projects and Processes. To any extent that the Identified Projects and Processes fail to be fully implemented, demand and competition for Colorado's water resources will be further increased and the need to implement alternative solutions will be evident 100% _Gap "C 90% c: III _IP&P E 80% Q) 0 Oii 70% 2: 60% "C Q) III 50% III Q) t; 40% -= '0 30% 1: Q) 20% u Qj 10% ll. 0% 0% 25% 50% Uncertainty in Identified Projects & Processes Figure 8-1 Implications of Uncertainty in Identified Projects and Processes on Meeting 2030 M&I and 551 Water Needs Any yield that would otherwise have come from Identified Projects and Processes for M&I use might likely instead be satisfied with additional permanent agricultural transfers. History has shown that M&I providers will indeed find a way to meet their customers' needs, and agricultural water is the most readily-available source for meeting those needs. As discussed earlier, agricultural transfer will still require storage and infrastructure to S:\1177\Basin Reports\North Platte\SB_North Platte.doc