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<br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />I. THE POTENTIAL FOR AUGMENTATION OF COLORADO'S <br />WATER SUPPLY THROUGH \\lEATHER MODIFICATION <br /> <br />A. Colorado's Limited Water Supply <br /> <br />It has been long recognized by Coloradoans that water is a <br />scarce and precious resource in our semi-arid climate. While <br />the supply of surface waters and hydrologically-connected ground <br />water is renewed annually, the amount of water .avai1ab1e varies <br />from year to year. In other words, Colorado water supplies are <br />limited, and their availability is subject to fluctuation and <br />uncertainty. <br />Future demands for the limited water supplies will increase <br />primarily due to population qrowth coupled with rapidly increas- <br />ing energy resources developInent. The demands for water uses fall <br />into two broad categories: namely, consumptive uses and non- <br />consumptive uses. Consumptive uses include irrigated agriculture, <br />energy conservation processes, coal slurry pipelines, and municipal <br />uses. The nonconsumptive uses are related to the recreation and <br />tourism industry, the generai:ion of hydroelectric power, and <br />include skiing, fishing, kayaking, rafting and simply enjoying the <br />aesthetic attributes of lakes, flowing streams and snowcapped <br />mountains. With the projectE~d population growth and anticipated <br />increases in leisure time, the demand for nonconsumptive uses will <br />continue to grow. The effeci:s of drought conditions will become <br />even more serious when a greater number of users demand their full <br />share of water. As the demand increases it is inevitable that <br />there will be competition for the limited water supplies available <br />at present and in the future. <br />In addition to physical limitations, the amount of water <br />available for consumption in Colorado is affected by interstate <br />compacts, U. S. Supreme Court decisions, and an international treaty. <br />These apportion the flow of i:he Colorado rivers among the State of <br />Colorado, nine downstream states, and the Republic of Mexico. New <br />water projects like the Central Arizona Project will put an <br /> <br />-1- <br />