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. . . ~ Alternatives and OPtions The alternatives and options considered CWPDA municipal wells (User Groups 501-510) separately from the non-municipal wells because the municipalities have set allotments of Fry-Ark Project first use water and are entitled to carryover their excess allotment in Fry-Ark Project reservoirs. This study found that because of their Fry-Ark: Project entitlements, CWPDA's municipal members can meet their replacement requirements using Fry-Ark water and their lawn irrigation and wastewater return flows. CWPDA member, Pueblo Activities Depot, is a municipal user not in the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District (SECWCD); therefore, Fry-Ark water is not available. A replacement supply on Fountain Creek with an annual yield of about 164 acre-feet is needed. For replacement of depletions of non-municipal wells (Rule 3, and non-municipal Rule 4 and 5 wells), the suggested replacement water supplies are located throughout the basin. They consist of Fry-Ark Project water, Fountain Creek water rights, and Arkansas River water rights. The primary replacement supply should be Fry-Ark' Project water (first use and return flows). Its availability, cost, and limited storage are the elements that resulted in its recommendation. Annually, CWPDA should request a total of 11,000 acre-feet of Fry-Ark return flows and first use water. Fountain Creek water rights are needed because about 1 ,300 acre-feet of CWPDA member stream depletions occur on Fountain Creek, and during drought periods, replacement on Fountain Creek will probably be required. Some of the recommendEld Fountain Creek water rights have been leased by CWPDA for Rule 14 plans. It is therefore presumed that they should be available for long- term leases. Recommended Arkansas River water rights included the Rocky Ford Ditch shares owned by the Town o(Rocky Ford. The Rocky Ford Ditch shares are very senior direct flow rights with a firm yield in average and dry years. Their use by CWPDA fits well within the town's use. CWPDA needs to acquire storage. Storage is mquired to meet drought-year depletions (6,000 acre-feet greater than average) and to store exc,ess replacement water (3,000 acre-feet annually historically). The storage systems of the Colorado Canal, Fort Lyon Canal, and Holbrook Canal companies were considered. All would work but thElre are limitations. The availability of the Colorado Canal companies share is very limited because of ownership by Aurora and Colorado Springs. Historically, Fort Lyon's Adobe Creek Reservoir has filled only in very wet years. The reservoir seeps and has a junior water right; therefore, sto'rage space should be available. The Fort Lyon Canal is more encumbered with i.-y-Iaw restrictions than the Holbrook Canal. Additionally, its reservoirs are a considerably distance from the river. Pumped water could be easily pumped into CWPDA: Sec I 10/19/99 Page 6