07

• Board Meeting Date: 7/11/2007
• Description: IWMD Section - Water Supply Reserve Account July 2007 Grant Allocations
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

Section 3 Attachment

Jackson Gulch Reservoir Expansion project

Water stored in the Jackson Gulch Expansion Project will be available for multiple uses, including:
I. Irrigation 5. Environmental
2. Stock / Hay crops / Wildlife 6. Hydro power

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3. MWlicipal and Industrial
4. Mitigation

7. Recreation
8. Fire protection

The Project to be developed will help the District and the community to meet the following CWCB water
management objectives:

· Sustainably meet municipal demands forecasted through 2020;
· Sustainably meet agricultural demands;
· Optimize existing and future water supplies;
· Enhance Recreational opportunities;
· Provide for environmental enhancement;
· Promote cost effectiveness;
· Protect Cultural values;
· Provide operational flexibility
· Comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and water rights.

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Moreover, funding assistance will help meet Colorado's future water needs---cnamely, projected
capacity shortfalls in the San Juan River Basin as identified in the Statewide Water Supply Initiative. The
reservoir will protect Colorado's water trom future Lower Compact States designs on Upper Basin water
by allowing the District to store entitled rights. The project provides an excellent location and supply of
raw water for forest fire suppression. In addition, storage at this headwater facility preserves water
quality and provides drought protection. The Project is necessary for the health and welfare of the
Districts' constituents.

This application is actively supported by the Mancos Conservation District. The Conservation
District is conducting a Water Conservation Project and a Watershed Management Plan for the Valley, both
of which will be greatly enhanced by increased water storage capacity. Efficiency of the use of irrigation
water has been improved using over $5 million of Salinity control funds plus private funding in the past 2
years to build pipelines and install sprinkler irrigation systems in the valley. But the Mancos River is over
adjudicated in some stretches and there are needs for additional water in the river during most months of the
irrigation season. The drought has severely impacted the valley and additional stored water is in demand;
not only for agriculture, but also for the growing population. According to the initial survey of the health of
the Mancos River system, stretches of the River are dry during the irrigation season and the riparian habitat
is degraded in much of the lower valley. Additional stored water is expected to become a significant factor
to the success of the riparian habitat improvement program under the Watershed Management Plan, as well .
as preserving the agricultural character of the Valley.
This application is also supported by the Mancos Rural Water Company which provides domestic water
to rural residents within the District boundary. The Water Company serves 485 members and presently has

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