Laserfiche WebLink
PROPOSED WATER MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENTS <br />To reduce administrative spills, Reclamation studied the operation of <br />the Government Highline Canal and proposes installation of <br />• 7 check structures, <br />• automated gages and controls, <br />• a bypass pipeline, and <br />• a pump station. <br />The CHECK STRUCTURES would help maintain the water surface <br />level in the canal needed to meet all demands at the many turnouts along the <br />canal with the same flexibility as at present. AUTOMATED CONTROLS <br />(computers and communication systems) are needed to operate the improved <br />canal more efficiently. The BYPASS PIPELINE will allow the canal to spill <br />unneeded diversions back into the Colorado above the 15 Mile Reach. <br />Together, these features are estimated to reduce the diversion requirements of <br />the Garfield Gravity Division by about 17,500 AF. <br />Studies estimate that another I IKAF can be saved by using Highline <br />Lake as storage for water supplies spilled from the lower end of the canal <br />system. Water in excess of irrigation demands would be stored in Highline <br />Lake and pumped back into the canal when increased demand causes the <br />water level in the lower end of the canal to drop sufficiently. This will <br />provide quicker response and a reduction in new flows diverted from the <br />river. <br />The ORCHARD MESA CHECK SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT <br />provides the mechanism for Reclamation to declare a surplus condition in <br />Green Mountain Reservoir when the storage volume exceeds an agreed upon <br />"draw down curve." To the extent that the Grand Valley Project's reliance <br />upon Green mountain reservoir is reduced, it will create more frequent and <br />larger surplus storage conditions. Under the settlement agreement, surplus <br />waters would be available for contract delivery to the Grand Valley Power <br />Plant (or to other non - consumptive industrial users (and indirectly to the 15 <br />Mile Reach). <br />