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Water Supply Reserve Account -Grant Application Form <br />Form Revised May 2007 <br />4. Please provide an overview of the water project or activity to be funded including - type of activity, statement <br />of what the activity is intended to accomplish, the need for the activity, the problems and opportunities to be <br />addressed, expectations of the participants, why the activity is important, the service area or geographic <br />location, and any relevant issues etc. Please include any relevant TABOR issues that may affect the <br />Contracting Entity. Please refer to Part 2 of Criteria and Guidance document for additional detail on <br />information to include. <br />Problem Statement <br />The South Platte River through the metro Denver area has been channelized. The natural flow regime has <br />been regulated; high flows have been dampened and base flows have increased. The natural aquatic habitat <br />that existed before urbanization has been replaced with steep banks and little diversity in streambed structure. <br />The changes in hydrology and geomorphology have resulted in reduced riparian and aquatic diversity. <br />In addition to the limited habitat and aquatic species, there is not much recreational use in this reach primarily <br />because of perceived poor water quality. Because of the development surrounding this reach, there is little <br />opportunity to widen the river; however, the Chatfield Reservoir reallocation of flood storage could result in <br />dedicated instream flows that would benefit recreation and aquatic habitat in the South Platte River through <br />Denver. <br />Grant Proposal <br />With additional funding, The Greenway Foundation could perform a feasibility study identifying habitat and <br />recreation improvement alternatives associated with future instream flow expectations. The objective of the <br />habitat improvements would be to increase native riparian vegetation, and increase the abundance of aquatic <br />life habitat. The location, type, and quality of existing habitat and riparian vegetation could be identified <br />through field reconnaissance. <br />Proposed improvement options would be developed to compliment the existing habitat and vegetation. <br />Biological, physical, and hydrological characteristics would be examined and improvement options will be <br />identified based on stakeholder input. The feasibility study would also identify required permits to implement <br />the proposed improvements. The requested amount to be considered is $150,000. <br />Roundtable Nonconsumptive Needs Assessment <br />This proposed project complements the Metro and South Platte Basin Roundtable's (BRTs) Nonconsumptive <br />Needs Assessment. The Metro and South Platte BRTs are currently identifying environmental and <br />recreational attributes such as Greenways, Public Fish Areas, Flatwater and Whitewater Boating, Riparian <br />Habitat Areas, Waterfowl Hunting, and Threatened and Endangered Species. <br />Any improvements recommended as part of the feasibility study would be based on maintaining or improving <br />these attributes. This project is an example of the types of implementation projects that are expected as a <br />result of conducting the BRTs' Nonconsumptive Needs Assessment. <br />7