MetroSouthPlatteInterimBasinWaterSupplyNeedsReport ‎(2)‎

• Basin Roundtable: South Platte
• Additional Roundtables: Metro
• Title: Water Supply & Needs Report for the South Platte and Metro Basins
• Date: 6/1/2006
• Author: CDM, CWCB, DNR
• Basin Roundtables - Doc Type: Needs Assessment Documents

Interim Water Supply and Needs Report for the
South Platte Basin and Denver/South Metro Counties

Section 1 Introduction

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

1.2 The Interbasin 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 Additional Demographic 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............................................................................... 3-10

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

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NATURAL
RESOURCES

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