Arkansas Basin_Water Supply and Needs

Home Browse Search

Significant water conservation has already occurred in many areas. 8. Environmental and recreational uses of water are expected to increase with population growth. These uses help support Colorado's tourism industry, provide recreational and environmental benefits for our citizens, and are an important industry in many parts of the state. Without a mechanism to fund environmental and recreational enhancement beyond the project mitigation measures required by law, conflicts among M&I, agricultural, recreational, and environmental users could intensify. 9. The ability of smaller, rural water providers and agricultural water users to adequately address their existing and future water needs is significantly affected by their financial capabilities. 10. While SWSI evaluated water needs and solutions through 2030, very few M&I water providers have identified supplies beyond 2030. Beyond 2030, growing demands may require more aggressive solutions. These Findings and the Recommendations found in Section 11.3 of the SWSI Report were drawn from all aspects of the SWSI process. However, they should not be viewed as consensus products of the SWSI Basin Roundtables. 1.4 Major Findings in the Arkansas Basin Below is an overview of the individual issues in the Arkansas Basin identified in the SWSI Report. These findings are provided here to assist the reader in linking issues in the Arkansas Basin to SWSI implementation and to the goals set forth by the Interbasin Compact Process. . Arkansas River Compact requirements and existing uses and water rights result in little to no water availability for new uses. . Growth in the headwaters region will present challenges in obtaining augmentation water for new demands. . Concerns over agricultural transfers and its impact on rural economies are significant in the lower portion of the basin downstream of Pueblo Reservoir. o :\SHAWN\ARKANSAS\S 1_ARKANSAS. DOC . Concern over water quality and suitable drinking water are key concerns in the lower basin. . The success of two major projects are key to meeting future water needs. . The urban landscape is very important to the economy and an important component to quality of life. 1.5 SWSI Phase 2 The SWSI Report was completed in 2004 and established a path forward for SWSI based on its findings. Phase 2 is expected to conclude in mid-2006; however, full implementation of SWSI elements will take place over a period of years and decades. In tandem, the Interbasin Compact Process further establishes the framework for long-term water supply planning in Colorado on an interbasin basis. Helping ensure Colorado's water future is a complex and difficult challenge. Addressing our water future means that we must ensure the social, economic, and cultural health and integrity of all of our river basins. Goals should be met by developing sound implementable objectives that can be met regularly over a longer term if SWSI's success is to be capitalized on. We now know, based on the SWSI Basin Roundtable information, Colorado can potentially meet 80 percent of its M&I water needs by 2030; however, some water suppliers may need help building infrastructure, mitigating and permitting projects, enhancing and improving the environment, and conserving water. We also now know that the state can reassure the General Assembly and other state decisionmakers to an extent never before possible that we are not facing an immediate water crisis, but long-term challenges. There are certainly some tough decisions to be made and parts of the state need to take action sooner than others, but realistically, none of these toug h decisions or actions can be made overnight or in an atmosphere of crisis. 1.5.1 The 80 Percent Solution for M&I SWSI has catalogued the specific projects, plans, and processes that local water suppliers have identified and are undertaking as components of their own water supply planning efforts to meet the needs they themselves have identified. As a whole, if these projects are implemented, 80 percent of the state's long-term M&I needs will be met. This is the most optimistic scenario, but there is uncertainty, and hurdles to overcome. Therefore, the CDIVI 1-3