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seem to have the fewest adverse impacts. Seaman Reservoir enlargement would likely encounter <br />problems with the endangered Preble's mouse, as would Glade Park, which would also require <br />the relocation of U.S. Highway 287. Most of the pipeline projects being proposed in the Northern <br />region are conceptually valid mechanisms for better integrating the operations of existing water <br />supply systems. <br />While most of these structural projects have some merit, their ultimate implementation will be <br />continually tempered by the ever - present alternative of acquiring irrigation supplies, many of <br />which include already- developed storage and provide substantial "up- front' yield without <br />building additional storage. As noted above, continued transfer of irrigation water to M &I uses <br />should be done in an orderly and sensitive manner. <br />5. Colorado River Basin <br />a) Upper Colorado River Mainstem and Fraser River <br />In the Upper Colorado River basin, most of the growth in water demand is expected to occur in <br />the Fraser River basin and in areas around Grand Lake. Water supply augmentation sources for <br />water users in Grand County include Clinton Gulch Reservoir, Green Mountain Reservoir, <br />Muddy Creek Reservoir and Windy Gap exchange water. Remaining water supply problems in <br />the basin are primarily related to physical flow shortages during critical fall and winter season <br />low flow periods in the Upper Fraser River basin and low flows on the Colorado mainstem <br />below Windy Gap. <br />Physical shortages in the Fraser River basin can be addressed by Grand County participation in <br />Denver's North End project, which would allow Denver to increase water deliveries from its <br />Moffat Tunnel collection system to the Fraser River basin without loss of yield to its system. <br />The Town of Kremmling is addressing its water supply problems by developing its conditional <br />water rights for diverting water directly from the Colorado River. <br />b) Blue River Basin <br />In the Blue River Basin, the largest growth in water demands is expected to occur in population <br />centers associated with the Summit County ski areas and in communities around Dillon <br />Reservoir. Most of these communities have water rights and augmentation plans that are <br />sufficient to meet projected build -out. However, potential shortages have been identified for <br />several areas in the Snake River, Upper Blue River and Tenmile Creek drainages, primarily <br />during the fall and winter months, due to insufficient physical supply. <br />In the Snake River basin, it is possible to meet most of the shortfall by pumping water from the <br />Montezuma drop shaft of the Roberts Tunnel. Water rights administration agreements between <br />Denver Water and Colorado Springs be able to address the physical shortages in the Upper Blue <br />River basin. Additional acquisition and redevelopment of water rights and facilities related to <br />the Climax Mine can address physical shortages in the Ten Mile Creek basin. None of these <br />cooperative projects requires significant construction outlays. <br />47 <br />