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<br />"\- <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />Other Programs CWCB OtTers to Aid Local Entities <br /> <br />in Planning for and Managing Drought <br /> <br />.oviding Information and Data - The CWCB and Division of Water Resources (DWR) are working with state, federal and <br />local governments to monitor reservoir levels, snowpack, precipitation, and other indicators of drought. This information is <br />used to make decisions about when and where water suppliers should respond to drought conditions. The CWCB has <br />developed a Drought Watch newsletter to make this information available to the public and media. <br /> <br />Conservation Plans - To receive state financing, entities that supply more than 2,000 acre-feet of water must have a CWCB <br />approved Conservation Plan. The CWCB helps "covered entities" complete and update their plans. Model conservation plans <br />are available to the public on the CWCB web site. <br /> <br />Drou~ht Plans - As a by-product of the CWCB Drought Assessment, the state will have a much clearer indication which <br />communities are prepared to survive a drought. This type of planning entails both structural and non-structural planning and <br />recognizes that in a semi-arid state like Colorado, water must be stored and transported for use. The CWCB previously <br />initiated an assessment of 67 Colorado communities to determine how many had drought plans. The CWCB is available to <br />work with local communities to develop drought plans upon request. <br /> <br />Dam Safety Inventory and Infrastructure Repair - The CWCB and the DWR estimate that more than 100,000 acre-feet of <br />water could be stored in existing reservoirs if those reservoirs were repaired in order to meet state dam safety regulations. The <br />CWCB offers grants, loans and technical assistance to those with infrastructure repair needs so as much water will be <br />available as possible when it is needed. <br /> <br />Federal Reservoir Operating Criteria - CWCB and DWR coordinate with federal dam managers like the U.S. Bureau of <br />Reclamation and the Army Corps of Engineers for the development and implementation of federal reservoir operations. When <br />data indicate drought, the state and federal government determine how to conserve water held in reservoirs for as long as <br />.sible. <br /> <br />Education and Outreach - The CWCB is funding the establishment of a Water Education Foundation and provides <br />information via the Internet to promote a better understanding of water issues so Colorado citizens will understand water as a <br />limited resource and will make informed decisions. <br /> <br />Water Saving Landscape Practices - The CWCB has financed the creation of a "Best Management Practices" manual for <br />water use by the nursery and landscaping industries. This manual will increase the awareness within the industry of how wise <br />water practices can positively impact their businesses. <br /> <br />Drought Assessment - The CWCB is conducting a statewide drought planning assessment of its water supplies. The <br />information gathered from this Assessment will be used to determine the status of the state's water suppliers' storage <br />capabilities and identify how the CWCB can support Colorado's water suppliers in planning for and mitigating the impacts of <br />drought. <br /> <br />The CWCR' s role is one of finance and advocacy in water issues. It has <br />helped citizens to understand how the state's water is used and managed by <br />preparing fact sheets for the state's eight river basins. These fact sheets are <br />available via the Internet at www.cwcb.state.co.us. Thefact sheets contain <br />basic information concerning water supply, water rights, compacts, flood <br />events, instream flows and demographic and water use trends. <br /> <br />. <br />