DNR-Project-Final Report to Hecox

Home Browse Search

Carlyle Currier -Water studies -stream flow management up in Granby. The Roaring Fork has asked for money. Small storage projects have been approved. A small reservoir up near Dillon to help provide water for Silverthorne. John Redifer - We have run into problems with accounts. The money is there for specific requests. Everyone looks at it like a big bag of money. Not that they are bad projects but this money is set for specific purposes and people try to stretch it. Basin and CWCB wrestles with this fiduciary responsibility. ~ Jim Pokrandt -Water Year Preview Projects that keep this valley green - Highline Canal, senior water rights, Grand Mesa Whole context of Roundtables is shortages Snowpack forecast -best water year in about 10 years. Average Snowpack is 126% Colorado River Basin that's 4 times as much snow compared to last year. Gunnison is 145% that is six times as much as last year. River Peak - 3 8,000 cfs at State Line Cameo was 24,000 cfs as of yesterday June 3 Upstream at Glenwood Springs could have another peak June 12,13,14 about 24,000 cfs could be heading for Cameo Can't talk about water supply without talking about Lake Powell We will have more water going in then out, which is a big change from last year. 11.8 million acre feet will go into Lake Powell, 8.2 million acre feet have to go to ower assns. Some extra water sent to Lake Mead. One big project our Roundtable agreed to was Vail Ditch in Grand County. The water that goes to the front range is lost forever. Water we keep here generates return flows that are reused by ag and municipalities. ~ Rita Crumpton -Colorado Foundation for Water Education Legislature endows the Colorado Foundation for Water Education $150,000 per year for 10 years. They are trying to make the foundation self sustaining. They provide water information without taking sides. Produce 4 publications. 23 members on the Board. They do a Water Leaders Course - a year long course. CFWE.org Panel up front Steve Ryken, Mel Rettig, Jim Carter, Carlyle Currier, Jim Pokrandt, Dick Proctor John Redifer -What do you want Colorado water to look like in 50 years? Audience Member - Do nothing John Redifer - If we don't do anything agriculture will suffer. It would result in no agriculture, water shortages or water transfers. Would force a food shortage. Sothis drives the importance to keep agriculture. Audience Member - We want agriculture to remain strong in our state, not only for food, but for fiber, wildlife, tourism. John Redifer -You've hit on a key point. Agriculture is important and we need to figure out away to keep it viable. How do we construct a system to make trade-offs between the different industries? How do we currently do it?