Yampa - Ag Water Needs Assessment_Water Activity Summary

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Discussion : Overall the application for funding was well prepared and the study is needed to complete a basin - wide water needs assessment for this roundtable. In 2003, the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) completed the Statewide Water Supply Initiative (SWSI). That study included estimates of water demands in the White and Yampa River Basin through 2030. SWSI concluded there was little "gap" between projected municipal and industrial water demands and available water supplies in the basins. While SWSI provided a valuable coarse assessment of water demands for the municipal, indus trial, and agricultural sectors, concerns were raised at the time that the analysis did not accurately reflect the agricultural water shortages in some of the water districts and especially as it exists on the tributaries. One concern was that the Yampa Ri ver Basin analysis of agricultural demand was not based on high altitude crop coefficients, thus understating the demand for water in the Yampa River Basin . SWSI also noted that up to an additional 39,000 acres of agricultural lands could be developed in the basins but did not investigate the location or impact of additional agricultural demand in these basins. The Colorado River Water Conservation District Small Reservoir Study identified sites for additional water supply storage in the Yampa Basin. That study highlighted the need to look at integrating irrigation practices with storage to better meet water demands. Given this background, it is appropriate to undertake a study to identify agricultural water needs and shortages in the basin and identify p r ojects to satisfy those needs. The Yampa/White/Green Roundtable is undertaking other studies to complete their basin - wide water needs assessment and this application compliments these on - going studies. Issues/Additional Needs: The application includes a cost estimate for each task but does not include the details behind these cost estimates , rates, or a schedule. The applicant should provide the ir assumptions on the cost estimates and an preliminary schedule. A final schedule and rate sheet will be ne eded prior to contracting. The scope of work specifically addresses coordination with the roundtable’s Energy Needs Assessment. Coordination with other ongoing studies will also be important. Task 3 (Assess the Impacts of Climate Change on Agricultural Water Availability) should be coordinated with the climate components of the Colorado River Supply Availability Study and Task 7 (Investigate Creative Solutions that Benefit Multiple Interests) should be coordinated with the Energy Needs Assessment and the roundtable’s ongoing non - consumptive needs assessment. Please amend the scope of work to explicitly identify this coordination. This study involves updating data in the state’s Decisions Support System (DSS) and using its modeling features. As this stu dy is undertaken, c oordination with and concurrence of CWCB will be essential in the tasks involving refinement of the Colorado Decision Support System. Staff Recommendation: T he application is well prepared and the proposed project addresses a critical part of the Roundtable’s basin - wide water needs assessment . Staff recommends approval of up to $ 201,410 from the Yampa/White/Green Basin Account to complete the Agricultural Water Needs Assessment study conti ngent on resolution of the item s in the issues /additional needs section. All products, data and information developed as a result of this grant must be provided to CWCB in hard copy and electronic format as part of the project documentation. This information will in turn be made widely available t o Basin Roundtables and the general public and will help promote the development of a common technical platform. 2