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<br />Therefore, there is a compelling need to evaluate a range of sedimentation mitigation options and <br />identify the best and most cost effective method(s) for insuring reservoir sustainability and a <br />continued full supply of water from the Paonia Reservoir project. <br /> <br />The North Fork Water Conservancy District has been moving forward with relatively limited <br />incremental tasks including preliminary studies of dredging feasibility, evaluation of historic <br />sediment accumulation data and preliminary analysis of sedimentation mitigation options. However, <br />with the potential availability of additional funding, there is a desire to take a much more substantial <br />step toward identifying possible solutions so as to enable implementation of mitigation measures as <br />early as possible. <br /> <br />The objective of this study is to investigate sediment management options for Paonia Reservoir with <br />the intent of identifying means to accomplish one or all of the following goals: <br /> <br />1. Remove a portion of the historically accumulated sediment. <br /> <br />2. Reduce the rate of future sediment accumulation. <br /> <br />3. Identify operational and management practices which will extend the life of the reservoir, <br />preferably indefinitely. <br /> <br />The study will assess the technical feasibility of alternative sediment management techniques and <br />identify the most economical and practical technique(s) for long-term sediment management. The <br />intent is to establish a solid technical and regulatory basis on which to make decisions regarding <br />future goals such as construction of sedimentation control features, removal of existing sediment, <br />improvements in the drainage basin, operation and maintenance protocols and future sedimentation <br />monitoring. <br /> <br />Addressing Paonia Reservoir sedimentation is included specifically as an item in the Gunnison Basin <br />Round Table (GBRT) needs assessment memorandum. The need for reservoir rehabilitation and <br />maintenance is recognized as a water management objective in the Statewide Water Supply Initiative <br />(SWSI). Sediment mitigation is considered a rehabilitative effort. Specific SWSI objectives are <br />addressed by this project as follows: <br /> <br />1. Long term sustainability of the existing Paonia Reservoir storage volume is the ultimate intent <br />of the project. The proposed project is a major step toward implementing capital and operational <br />measures which will partially or fully mitigate the sedimentation problem. <br /> <br />2. The project is intended to develop measures which will offset, abate or eliminate the <br />inevitable loss of irrigation water storage volume if no action is taken. <br /> <br />3. Optimization of existing and future water supplies includes sustaining existing storage <br />capacity that will otherwise be lost or that must be replaced with less effective facilities at much <br />greater cost and with greater environmental impacts. <br /> <br />4. By assuring the long term sustainability of Paonia Reservoir and the stable stream flow that <br />results from summer releases, recreational opportunities in the area are protected. The ultimate <br />outcome of the no-action alternative will be a reservoir basin fully filled with sediment, land of <br /> - 2 - <br /> <br />