UGRWCD Website Update: Whitewater Park Update

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UGRWCD Website Update, June 2, 2003 Whitewater Park Update At the direction of the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District Board of Directors, the District filed an application in water court in March of 2002 for a water right for recreational in- channel uses at the Gunnison Whitewater Park. The whitewater course design is for six separate structures that will concentrate and control the flows of the Gunnison River for beneficial use. The Whitewater Park is located just west of the City of Gunnison on the Gunnison River, immediately south of Highway 50. The course extends approximately one - quarter mile within the channel of the Gunnison River. The amount claimed by the District to meet the requirement of providing a "minimum flow for a reasonable recreation experience" is listed below: May 1 - May 15 570 cfs May 16 - May 31 1 190 cfs June 1 -June 15 1460 cfs June 16 -June 30 1500 cfs July 1 -July 15 1100 cfs July 16 -July 31 530 cfs Aug 1 -Aug 15 460 cfs Aug 16 - Aug 31 390 cfs Sept 1 -Sept 15 300 cfs Sept 16 - Sept 30 270 cfs The whitewater course currently consists of five structures. The most upstream structure, and one of the deflector systems, are not yet completed. Usage of the course has been high to date. The District participated in a hearing process as required by the State of Colorado in September of last year. The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) is required to conduct a hearing process and make a finding to the water court regarding the water right application. The CWCB concluded that they believed the water right would meet the standards set forth by the legislature best if it were for 250 cfs for the entire period. The District does not agree with that position and will be arguing its case in front of Division Four Water Court Judge Steven Patrick the week of September 15, 2003.