Arkansas - Upper Ark WCD Hydrologic Water Balance Study_Application

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Water Supply Reserve Account- Grant Application Form rorm Revised May 2007 TABLE 5. BASIN NEEDS ASSESSMENT Timeframe Re uirement Status The UAWCD/USGS hydrologic water balance study fits with conclusions of the Arkansas Basin Consumptive Use Water Needs Assessmenf: 2030 - 2008 Update (June 2008), which identified a M&I shortfall by 2030 of 31,500 a.f. and emphasized June 2008 Consumptive Needs conjunctive surface water and ground water management solutions such as enlarging augmentation plans, increased use of Fryingpan-Arkansas water, and ground water develo ment. The UAWCD/USGS hydrologic water balance stutly will help sustain environmental and recreational attributes and priorities, which the BRT summarized in 18 maps. Specific study area attributes are discussed in detail under Addressing Issues of Statewide Value. The nine environmental attributes I priorities are: 0 Significant whitewater boating waters February Non-Consumptive 0 Significant fishing areas 2008 and Needs @ Waterfowl hunting (State Wildlife Areas) ongoing 0 Bird trails @ Threatened and endangered species M Special value waters O National Wetland Inventory wetlands @ Significant riparian plant communities, and O Audubon bird areas. Wate r The UAWCD/USGS hydrologic water balance study will quantify ground water and Not Done S u p p ly surface water supply availability with an emphasis on ground water recharge rates to Yet Ava i I a b i I it identify the amount of ground water available for sustainable use. The BRT can use study resuts to propose projects and mehods to meet needs. Since Propose projects or future optimum use of ground water and surface water supplies could include use of Not Done methods to meet aquifer storage and recovery similar to reservoir storage and recovery as an innovative Yet water needs way to meet multiple consumptive and nonconsumptive demandS data generated will form a basis for future studies re ardin utilizin a uifers for water stora e. 3. For Applications that include a request for funds from the Statewide Account, describe how the water activity meets the Evaluation Criteria. See Part 3 of Criteria and Guidelines. The hydrologic water balance study area at the headwaters of the Arkansas River is heavily recreated. The study area has some of the best fishing and whitewater river rafting in the nation. Parts of the study area overlap with the San Isabel National Forest (1.2M acres) and the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA). For example, 82% of land in Chaffee County is publicly-owned, and AHRA annual use figures indicate more than 800,000 visits to the headwaters area each year. The annual influx of summer recreationists substantially boosts the local economy and the local population in a three-month period. Census data confirm that 27% of jobs in Chaffee County are in the tourism and recreation sector. The UAWCD/USGS water study meets WSRA evaluation criteria within four major categories: ? Promoting Collaboration and Cooperation ? Facilitating Water Activity Implementation ? Meeting Water Management Goals and Objectives and Identified Water Needs ? Addressing Issues of Statewide Value Promoting Collaboration and Cooperation Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District (UAWCD) Page 10 of 42