Prehearing Statement of Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District and Exhibits A-F

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and presented at a number of public meetings. Various feasibility studies were conducted, funds were raised for the project, and the necessary permits obtained. Construction has been commenced. (Testimony of John DeVore and Gary Lacy.) Tourism is an important industry in Gunnison County, and the whitewater park is expected to be an attractive tourist draw for both beginners and the more experienced boaters and kayakers who make up the booming paddling industry. (Testimony of John DeVore, Gary Lacy, and Mark Gibson). Indeed, Paddler Magazine, which bills itself as the "World's No. 1 Canoeing, Kayaking and Rafting Magazine," has already identified the Gunnison Whitewater Park as an "upcoming whitewater park guaranteed to put more play in your paddling." (See Exhibit F.) The whitewater park will also be a desirable amenity for local citizens. Western State College, located in Gunnison, has a popular outdoor recreation program that will be enhanced by the availability of a nearby professional quality whitewater park. (Testimony of Mark Gibson.) Located just outside the city limits of the City of Gunnison, the park is ideally situated for easy access by both tourists and locals, as well as the Western State College program. (Testimony of Mark Gibson and John DeVore.) The park, which will be free and open to the public, is nevertheless expected to generate revenues in the County and the City of Gunnison. (Testimony of John DeVore.) II. The Water Court Application The District filed an Application for Surface Water Rights for Recreational In- channel Uses on March 29, 2002, with the Water Court, Water Division No. 4. The application seeks conditional water rights for six separate dam structures and water deflector devices that will capture, concentrate and control the flows of the Gunnison River for kayaking, boating, rafting, tubing and other recreational uses. The application was the result of a cooperative effort between the District and Gunnison County to provide a water - based recreational amenity to the Gunnison community and its visitors. The application seeks conditional water rights in varying flow rates for the months of May through September of each year. The flow rates vary in two -week intervals, as follows: May 1 - 15 570 cfs May 16 -31 1190 June 1 — 15 1460 June 16 — 30 1500 July 1 — 15 1100 July 16 — 31 530 August 1 —16 460 August 16 — 31 390 September 1 — 15 300 September 16 — 30 270 2