SPDSS_Task5_KeyStructure_HomestakePipeline

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SYSTEM OVERVIEW The Homestake Pipeline (Pipeline) and the companion Otero Pump Station was originally completed in 1967 to deliver water from the Arkansas River over Trout Creek Pass to the City of Aurora in the South Platte River Basin and the City of Colorado Springs in another part of the Arkansas River Basin. In the early 1980s, the Pipeline was extended to allow water to be taken directly out of Twin Lakes Reservoir. The Twin Lakes Reservoir outlet is now the preferred means of diverting water into the Pipeline. Otero Pump Station Originally Aurora's water was delivered through approximately 50 miles of the Pipeline to the South Platte River Basin in the vicinity of Eleven Mile Reservoir. After the construction of Aurora's Spinney Mountain Reservoir on the South Platte River in the early 1980's, Aurora's water is delivered through approximately 40 miles of the Pipeline to a small drainage upstream of Spinney Mountain Reservoir (see Figure 1). Homestake Pipeline water for Colorado Springs then continues for approximately another 40 miles. Aurora owned water sources in the Arkansas and Colorado River Basins that are transported through the Homestake Pipeline to the South Platte River Basin include Aurora's interest in the Homestake Project, Twin Lakes System, Busk-Ivanhoe System, Burroughs Ranch, Rocky Ford Ditch, Colorado Canal, and Buffalo Park Ranch and Hayden/Spurlin-Shaw Ranches. These water sources are integrated into Aurora's water supply at Spinney Mountain Reservoir. This key structure is jointly owned by the Cities of Aurora and Colorado Springs. Aurora and Colorado Springs each own 50 percent of the Homestake Pipeline facilities. However, due to improvements made by Colorado Springs, Aurora owns less than 50% of the present carrying capacity as indicated below: • 42.6% City of Aurora Utilities - 50.5 MGD of 118.5 MGD Capacity • 57.4% City of Colorado Springs Utilities 2of10 Twin Lakes Reservoir