S10_11-15-04

• Basin: Statewide
• Title: SWSI Phase 1 Report - Section 10 Basin-Specific Options
• Date: 11/15/2004
• Author: CWCB
• SWSI - Doc Type: Final Report

Section 10
Basin-Specific Options
10.1.6 Gunnison Basin
10.1.6.1 Gunnisan Basin Gap Analysis Issues
As presented in Section 6, the gap analysis process
presented at the Basin Roundtable Technical Meetings
provided information on the Identified Projects and
Processes that M&I water providers are reasonably
confident of implementing to meet 2030 water demands.
Key activities related to water supply planning and basin
specific issues raised throughout the meetings and SWSI
process with respect to Gunnison Basin M&I and SSI
demands include the following:
10.1.6.2 Gunnison Basin Supply Availability
Issues
In the Gunnison Basin, the following issues were
identified regarding supply availability:
^ Resolving federal issues is a priority, which include:
- Resolving the National Park Service claims for
flows in the Black Canyon.
- Completion of the Blue Mesa/Aspinall Re-
operations Environmental Impact Statement to
provide flows for endangered fish.
^ Growth in the headwaters regions of Ouray and
Gunnison Counties will require additional water
management strategies.
^ Augmentation supplies are needed for existing and
future M&I growth in Ouray County and UGRWCD.
^ Potential growth and snowmaking demands at
Crested Butte Mountain Resort will require additional
storage.
^ The Uncompahgre Valley has experienced and will
continue to experience significant growth.
- Tourism is important in the headwater area of
Ouray County.
- Agriculture remains the dominant water use in the
Uncompahgre Valley.
- A rapid influx of retirees and growth in the
Uncompahgre Valley may dramatically change the
agricultural uses and land use in the area.
^ Most water providers in the North Fork of the
Gunnison have identified plans to meet future M&I
needs.
^ Possible future transbasin diversions are an ongoing
concern.
Agricultural issues noted throughout SWSI in the
Gunnison Basin include:
^ There are average annual shortages exceeding
10 percent in most of the basin except for the
Uncompahgre Valley. However, in some years there
are water deliveries less than a full project allocation
^ Addressing agricultural water shortages in the upper
portion of the basin is an important goal of the
community; however, a lack of financial resources is
an impediment.
~
$~ole'ri~ice Wo~e' $upplY Initia~ive
- Future Aspinall Unit operations will affect supply
availability.
- Addressing Endangered Species issues in the
Gunnison River near the confluence with the
Colorado River main stem.
^ The Upper Gunnison Water Conservancy District has
a 60,000 AF subordination agreement with the United
States that allows for upstream depletions against the
Aspinall Unit storage priorities.
^ Water contracts are available out of Blue Mesa and
Ridgway Reservoir for augmentation of upstream
depletions.
- Augmentation is required for agricultural, instream
flow, and potential/pending RICD water rights
above these reservoirs that cannot be met from
Blue Mesa or Ridgway.
^ Colorado Compact
- Concern over a potential compact call due to
severe and sustained drought.
^ Endangered Species
- The success of the Endangered Species program
is critical to help protect current and future water
uses.
^ CWCB instream flows can impact the ability to divert
water. Growth and water use above CWCB instream
flows will need storage and augmentation plans to
ensure that these instream flows are satisfied.
^ RICDs and CWCB instream flow water rights may
impact the ability to manage water supplies upstream
of such water rights.
^ Recreation and the environment are key drivers for
their industries and economic health as well as
important components to quality of life. Gunnison has
~~
S:\REPORT\WORD PROCESSING\REPORT\S10 11-11-04.DOC 10-23