Laserfiche WebLink
Judge rules in favor <br />of whitewater park <br />Decision may fight Front Range water grabs <br />Kristina Johnson <br />A water right granted to the Gunnison Whitewater. Park <br />last week may do more than just protect a kayaker`s chance to <br />play in the river. It could prove to be one of the most formida- <br />ble obstacles standing beYrveen the thirsty Front Range and a <br />Gunnison Basin water-grab. <br />The ruling, issued by Judge Steven Patrick in Colorado's <br />Division Four Water Court on Friday, December 26, 2003, <br />grants the Gunnison Whitewater Park rights to roughly 40 per- <br />cent of the Gunnison River`s water flow. The decision rejects <br />daims to the water by the Colorado Water Conservation Board, <br />a state organization made up of nine voting members appoint- <br />ed by the governor. <br />If Patrick's decision is upheld, the river wiil have to meet <br />the flow levels necessary for recreational boating in the park <br />before anyone with a junior water right-including the Front <br />Range--can dip into the water supply. <br />contlnued on page 16 <br />? <br />??