Laserfiche WebLink
<br />2 <br />Through hydrologic modeling with the Colorado Decision Support System (CDSS), it has been <br />determined that up to 7,000 AF is needed to maintain baseflows in the Yampa River at 93 cfs or more <br />during the August through October period, as measured at the Maybell gage, in most years. Thirteen <br />alternatives were evaluated to accomplish this and the enlargement of Elkhead Reservoir by <br />approximately 11,750 AF was determined to be the most feasible alternative. <br /> <br />The existing Elkhead Reservoir is located on Elkhead Creek. The existing reservoir has a design <br />capacity of 13,700 AF and with the enlarged reservoir would have an estimated total capacity of 25,450 <br />AF. Elkhead Creek joins the Yampa River on the east side of Craig, Colorado, and just a short distance <br />upstream of the upper terminus of the designated critical habitat reach for the Colorado River <br />endangered fish. <br /> <br />The Colorado River Water Conservation District (CRWCD), acting by and through its Colorado River <br />Water Projects Enterprise and in conjunction with the UCRIP, has agreed to enlarge Elkhead Reservoir, <br />by raising the existing dam by approximately 24 feet, for the purposes of supporting the recovery of <br />endangered fish species and to satisfy needs for supplies of municipal, industrial and agricultural water in <br />the Yampa River basin. The project began in early 2005 and was declared substantially complete in <br />November 2007. The proposed project cost approximately $31.0 million with funding coming in part from <br />a CWCS construction fund loan in the amount of $11,110,000 at an interest rate of 3.75% including the <br />1% origination fee and approximately $9,159,032 from the UCRIP. Additional funding from the UCRIP <br />(an estimated $3.75 million) will be required in order for the UCRIP to receive the full 5,000 AF of water <br />and storage it bargained for because of unanticipated cost increases. <br /> <br />The State of Colorado has a cost share obligation to the UCRIP of $8,065,000. The State, through <br />Colorado Department of Natural Resources (CDNR) and the Species Conservation Trust Fund, entered <br />into contracts with the CRWCD to provide its remaining cost share obligation ($6,453,000) to the UCRIP <br />with the balance of UCRIP funding coming from the UCRIP cost share partners. <br /> <br />AQ reements <br /> <br />Attached hereto is an "Agreement Map" that outlines the various agreements that were required to <br />construct the project and convey a portion of the water and capacity to the CWCS. The following is a <br />complete list of all the agreements the CRWCD has entered into in order to construct and operate the <br />reservoir enlargement. <br /> <br />1. Intergovernmental Agreement between the CRWCD and the City of Craig dated February 1, 2002 <br />(creating a joint venture between the CRWCD and the City of Craig for the construction of the <br />Elkhead Reservoir Enlargement). <br />2. Memorandum of Agreement between the CRWCD, the City of Craig, and the Colorado Division of <br />Wildlife (CDOW), dated August 6, 2003 (granting the CRWCD the right to interfere with certain <br />interests owned by the CDOW in order to construct the enlargement of the existing Elkhead <br />Reservoir). <br />3. Intergovernmental Agreement between the CRWCD and the City of Craig, dated August 6, 2003 <br />(setting forth the Agreement of the CRWCD and the City of Craig related to the construction, <br />operation, and maintenance of the Elkhead Reservoir Enlargement). <br />4. An Amended and Restated Agreement between Public Service Company of Colorado (d/b/a Xcel <br />Energy), Platte River Power Association, Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power <br />District, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc., and Pacificorp (collectively referred <br />to as "the Yampa Participants"), the CRWCD, and the City of Craig setting forth the Agreement of the <br />CRWCD, City of Craig, and Yampa Participants related to the post-construction operation, <br />maintenance, and repair of the enlarged Elkhead Reservoir. <br /> <br />Flood Protection' Water Project Planning and Finance. Stream and Lake Protection <br />Water Supply Protection. Conservation Planning <br />