Laserfiche WebLink
Executive Summary <br />The physical availability of water is illustrated in <br />Figure ES-11. As shown in the figure, water supply <br />generally increases as you move downstream and there <br />are greater quantities of water in the western part of <br />Colorado versus the eastern part. In the past, the ability <br />to transfer water from its origin to places of need has <br />been a major factor in Colorado's success in attaining <br />and maintaining healthy economic growth and <br />development. Currently, about 5 percent of Colorado's <br />water is transferred between basins. However, because <br />most of these transfers originate in headwaters areas, <br />some have contributed to localized water shortages. In <br />many cases, current and future demands are in the <br />upstream areas. In addition, the largest growth is <br />projected for the Arkansas and South Platte Basins <br />where existing supplies are more limited. Because of <br />this, there will be increasing pressure in these basins for <br />more development or water transfers. <br />Finally, it is important to note that the physical availability <br />of water, even as the flow leaves the state, does not <br />necessarily indicate that there are developable supplies, <br />since the water must be legally available. Some of this <br />flow may be committed as required deliveries under <br />interstate compacts. Flow availability can also be <br />affected by endangered species programs. <br />Legally available or developable water is governed by <br />Colorado water law, interstate compacts, and interstate <br />equitable apportionment decrees. These interstate <br />compacts and decrees require Colorado to deliver <br />certain amounts of water to downstream states or restrict <br />uses of water in Colorado. A listing of the interstate <br />compacts, decrees, and endangered species recovery <br />programs, and an evaluation of the ability to develop <br />additional water supplies under the compacts or decrees, <br />is shown in Table ES-4. Colorado has not fully utilized or <br />maximized its compact entitlements except for the Rio <br />Grande and Arkansas Basins. These two basins do not <br />have significant remaining unappropriated water that <br />could be developed into reliable water supplies with a <br />firm yield. <br />~~ <br />In addition to Colorado water law and interstate <br />compacts and decrees, federal laws can influence water <br />development. In Colorado, the ESA should be <br />considered when analyzing water supply. There are <br />endangered species programs in the South and North <br />Platte, Colorado, Gunnison, Yampa/ White/Green, and <br />Dolores/San Juan/San Miguel Basins. In general terms, <br />these programs are designed to address endangered <br />species needs while allowing for current water use and <br />new water development. Flow criteria and habitat <br />management are important components to these <br />endangered species programs and water supply <br />development must be consistent with program goals. <br />Historic water use is typically addressed by providing off- <br />setting measures via flow or habitat management, control <br />of non-native species, and captive breeding and <br />reintroduction. New depletions, if covered by the <br />program, must meet specific criteria to receive <br />programmatic coverage and an expedited ESA Section 7 <br />review. Meeting the federal requirements for protection of <br />the endangered species can potentially impact the ability <br />to develop available water supplies, since most water <br />supply development projects will require a federal permit. <br />Figure ES-11 provides a snapshot of current conditions <br />in Colorado's major river basins, including population, <br />irrigated agricultural acreage, and physical stream flow <br />and interbasin transfers. The physical flows exiting the <br />state from the South Platte and Arkansas Basins are <br />significantly lower than those exiting from other basins - <br />comprising less than 6 percent of the state's totals - <br />reflecting these basins' natural hydrology and the <br />significant populations and irrigated acreages present in <br />each. The result is consumption of the vast majority of <br />native and imported supplies along the Front Range and <br />eastern plains. In contrast, Western Slope basins see <br />significantly less consumption of native supplies. <br />~~ <br />Sfvtewide Woter Supoly Initiofive <br />ES-20 S:\REPORT\WORD PROCESSING\REPORT\EXEC SUMMARY 11-10-04.DOC <br />