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Tri-County Water Cw�servancy Districi A��� l� �� <br />Scptember 2, i011(Upd*ted September 29,1A1 f) <br />Page 3 of 7 <br />The District employs 23 staff inembers and is gaverned by a 15-member Board oFDir�tars wYuch <br />is appointed by a State District Court. There are five baacd members representin,� each oithe three <br />counties served la� the District. <br />Water Rights <br />The District presently controls all water rights for the project, The District received an absalute fill <br />right, which included hydropower as a decreed use, adjudicated under Decree No. 94C�V52; a <br />hydropower d�rect flow right, adjudicated under Decree No. 9bCW 139; and a second-fill right, <br />which included hydropower as a decreed use, ac3judicated in Decree No. 96CW 140. These rights <br />are summarized in Tahle 1. <br />TABLE 1: RIDGWAY RESERVOIR MICRO-HYDRO WATER RIGHTS <br />Case Use Inclndes <br />Number Adjudication D�te A ro riation Date Amount Power Gener�ti <br />94CW40S2 � April 14, 1961 <br />96CW0139 December 31, 1996 <br />96CW0140 December 31, 199b <br />I�tovember 16,1956 <br />November bt 1956 <br />November 6,1956 <br />�,6�2 AF Y�s <br />304 cfs �'�s <br />�.602 AF Yes <br />Projec# Description <br />The purpose oithe Project is to incorporate a clean and renewable energy source into Ridgway <br />Dam that is localiy controlled and will generate revenue for #he District. Previous studies for <br />hydropower at Ridg�vay Dam were conducted by the District in 1484, 1996, 2002 and 2009. <br />Design alterna�ives include multiple coniigurations and lacations for the powerhouse and piping <br />network, as wcil as the type and nurnher of turbines. Each alternative was analyzed to estimate <br />conceptual-leve� costs and benefits to determine project viability. Advances in technology <br />combined with an increase in the market rate for pawer, make the Pmject both teclmalogically and <br />economically feasible. <br />The District plans to tap into th� existing autlet works to install a new bifurcation that will direct <br />flow to a powerhouse located immediately east of the existing gaie house. The powerhouse will <br />contain two Francis-type turbines and generators, rated at a combined fotal af 7 MV4j and associated <br />mechanical and el�ctrical equipment capable of generating an estimated 22,500 me$awatt-haurs <br />(MWh) annually. A propased transmission line will carcy power 3,QUp feet north to a proposed <br />step-up substation adjacent to an existing Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association (Tri- <br />State G&T) 11 S-kV transmission line on the west side of Highway 550. River fla�v rates <br />downstream of the dam will nat be impacted by tihe power facility due to a netv�rark of progosecl <br />valves, enabling fhe District to c4nvep flows to the pow�rhause, or divert them away frc�m the <br />pawerhouse for maintenance or emergency purposes. <br />'ihe Praject shatl be perrnitted through the Bureau via the LdPP. Additionat permitting inctudes: <br />NEPA ec�mpitane�, a Povcrer Purchase Agreement (PPA), and pvssibly a Secti�n 404 pezmit from <br />the �orps of Engine�rs (COE) to address f1I placement along �h� Uttcc7mpahgre River. 'ihe District <br />is warking jointly with the Bureau. and thhe GQE to futiy adclress the permitting rec�uirements. The <br />District is i� negotia:tiozz with the San Miguel Power Association (SMPA}lTri-Staie G&T and ths <br />City af AspenlMuni�ipal Energy Agency of Nebraska to develop and execute a PPA to sell the <br />output of energy, capacity, �nd renewable energy credits {REC's). <br />