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`.` OCT-27-95 FRI 14�46 ' <br />�;� , � • %lEci� Zr�.�/ �t3' <br />�vcv�a� �� /9�S � <br />� l�/�.��ur •�� L <�9Z � <br />year, Cblorado basically �njoys uninterruptcd usc of the vwaters of the river p�suarit to Colora�lo <br />watcr Iaw. Historic records of flows at the scate linz (Julesb�rg) gaga anci the gage at the <br />beginning of die lawer rcach (Balcac) indicate that �ddition�l water is available to Color.ido under <br />the provisions of the compac.�. <br />ReladveIy recendy, t�e lower reach of rhe Sou�h Platte River has become a focal area for <br />new water uses. There !s a noed for water such as the C�ty nf Sterling's nced for water resulting <br />from the development of a prison that will bring hundreds of families to the city. The Colc�rado <br />Divisi�n of Wildlife is desirous of czeating new and improved water related habitat for Caloracio <br />wildlife, including species of cottcern Iike the Plains minnow, as wcll as protecting exicting habit�t <br />improvement projects in State Wildlife Areas. Existing users of water in the lower river �nvision <br />managing water through recharge projec;ts to enhance existing uses. Lastly, water is needed to <br />acidress federal reqnirements under the Endangered Species Ac� The State of Coloraciv has an <br />obligation to deveiop and prot�ec:t compac. entitlement for the future so that uses such as those <br />listed above can be realized and protected. <br />Because of its location at the lowez end of the Colorado'S South Platte system and the <br />flows that exist in the reach, the lower reach is naturally a prune area for developinent c�f <br />relatively inexpensive managed recharge projcctc designed to creat� return flows that can be uscd <br />to adciress threatened and endangered spec:ies c:onc:erns in Central Nebraska or to meet d°tr�nd� <br />in Colorado like those listed above. In addicion to managed recharge opporcuniues, r.hcre is <br />potential to develop new off-stieam storage sites or to rehabilita.te existing reservoirs to c. <br />water supplies to address these same needs. Finally, there may be existing water rights th�t �re <br />available and well suited to addrecs these needs through a change in water right <br />SCOPE OF WORK <br />'[�►e general sc;ope of work far the inve�tigarion is presenced b�low. A moi�e detailed <br />scope of work that eimmerates specif'u issues or projects to be investigated will be finali•r,ec1 hy the <br />p�rticipants and approved by the CWCB prior to the beginning of the investigation. The results <br />of the investigation will provide the informarion needed to evaluate potendal alternadves ta <br />develop and pmtece Colorado's cornpact entidemenc. <br />The fuial scope of work will identify and describe potential projects/water rights in the lewer <br />reach that will be invesstigated. Several such "prc�jects" have alrea�iy been identificxi by v��atcr <br />users that require addidonal evaluation to deterinine their feas��iliry for development and to be <br />able to compaze those projects with other options, An example is the develvpment of mana�cd <br />recharge at the Division of Wildlife's Tamarack Wildlife Area and at existing ditch systeitis. Brief <br />evaluation by die project participants i�idicate that wat�r may be developeci for annualized costs <br />less than fifry dollars per acre faot at such sites. Several potenti��l off-channel reservoir siteti exi,t <br />in the lower end of the river that coald also yield water for various uses. In adc�itian, an cxiscing <br />reservair such as Julesburg Re.servoir could be altered to provide additional stc�rage. ru�ally, <br />exi.sting wa�er rights could be examined for thcir potcntial to provide water for inunicipal or oQier <br />purposes. 'I�ose ideas wouid be coupled with new possibilities identified during the invCStigatic�n <br />to create a group of altemarives that would Ue evaluated for their benefits and costs, including <br />