South Platte - Lower South Platte Wetland Initiative Water Activity Summary Sheet

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Heyborne Recharge Project Phase I The Heyborne project as it has become known includes approximately 650 acres located along the river at Ovid. Several property owners are in negotiations with the DU, PFW, LSPWCD, NCWECD, SPWRAP partnership to develop unappropriated water at the stateline for purposes of agricultural, municipal, and endangered species needs. Preliminary investigations indicate that substantial water is available at the Nebraska stateline during winter months. These waters can be retimed through recharge to meet the needs of the PRRP and surrounding agricultural and municipal needs. DU and SPLRG have conducted core samples of the properties involved and found that deep soils (>65 ft) and soil conditions are ideal for aquifer recharge projects. The SPWRAP has agreed to lease any and all credits from the project for the PRRP. DU has also been approached by local agricultural producers to lease credits to cover several tributary wells that are currently operating out of priority. The landowners interest are purely for waterfowl. These properties have been purchased as duck clubs, applied water to the wetlands during the hunting season and typically release almost all credits for use to support area and state priorities. This application seeks funds to further the feasibility study and construct test sites. Core samples conducted by SPLRG indicated that the project sites are viable for recharge. DU will need additional funds to conduct the survey and design aspect of this project. NCWCD and LSPWCD request funds to assist in developing recharge models based off State CU and Stream Depletion Factor (SDF). As some of these tasks are already underway, it will be important to recognize the need to construct test sites and perform pumping tests to assure enough water can be delivered. Discussion: This project has the ability to provide significant economic value to Morgan, Logan and Sedgwick Counties. While providing for new habitat for waterfowl and migratory birds, the creation of wetlands in the lower South Platte River has the potential to provide for the replacement of depletions associated with junior agricultural irrigation. Staff would like to clarify a few items stated in the application. The application references the Statewide Water Supply Initiative (SWSI) and states that Morgan, Logan and Sedgwick counties will provide 8,900 acre-feet to help meet the M&I gap. In SWSI, the 8,900 acre-feet is the amount of water that will be needed in 2030 and is expected to be provided by the identified, projects and processes (IPPs). Nonetheless, it is encouraging that these projects are moving forward to help meet the present and future needs of the lower South Platte River. The Applicant also states that “the State is required to deliver 10,000 acre-feet for the Platte River Recovery Program (PRRP), an additional gap that the SWSI neglected to account for, but must be met as part of the overall gap in future water needs.” The State of Colorado is not required to “deliver” water under the PRRP. Rather, the State of Colorado will be retiming water supply from excesses to shortages to species target flows. This water will be put to beneficial use in Colorado and will be available for use by others in Colorado consistent with the South Platte compact. Any waters which reach the species habitat by gravity may be credited to Colorado under the PRRP. The proposed project can assist Colorado in this goal. SWSI also identified the need for a successful PRRP to allow development of water supplies consistent with the Endangered Species Act. The amount of collaboration involved in this project is impressive and should not go unnoticed. The supporters and financial contributors include: USFWS Partners for Wildlife (PFW), CDOW, Colorado Open Lands (COL), Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District (LSPWCD), Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (NCWCD), Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (RMBO), South Platte Lower River Group (SPLRG), the South Platte Water Related Activities Program (SPWRAP) and several landowners. - 3 -