Analysis of Colorado-Big Thompson Project Operation With Respect to East Slope Diversions and Non-Charge Deliveries

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• Maryanne C. Bach Brian Person October 6, 2000 Page 4 • Eastern Slope residents. Under this program, Colorado River water which would otherwise spill from Granby Reservoir is diverted through the Adams Tunnel and delivered through CBT Project distribution facilities to the South Platte River Basin for use by any water user within the Northern District's boundaries at no charge. Northern District officials have stated that the purpose of the non - charge program is to "spread" the benefits of the CBT Project to water users without Northern District allotment contracts who nevertheless support the Project through taxes. The River District's engineering consultant, Helton & Williamsen, has reviewed the non- charge deliveries of water to the Big Thompson River from the period 1983 to 1998. Total non - charge water deliveries during that time period averaged over 37,800 acre feet per year, with an annual maximum of over 128,000 acre feet. Of this amount, an average of 8,700 acre feet per year, and a maximum of 47,000 acre feet, was delivered to the Big Thompson River. The River District's investigation of the non - charge program has revealed that non - charge water is being delivered to the Big Thompson River at times when native supplies that sufficient to meet diversion needs. Helton & Williamsen's investigation approximately 40% of all non- charge water delivered to the Big Thompson River was not diverted for consumptive uses within Colorado. Helton & Williamsen believe that similar conclusions can be made concerning the non - charge deliveries to the Cache La Poudre and St. Vrain Rivers. The diversion of the water from the Western Slope for the non - charge program in the absence of a demand or need for that water on the Eastern Slope, or the use of this water in lieu of other available supplies, violates the express CBT Project purposes and is wasteful. Such water spreading is under attack west -wide and is even more concerning when a transmountain diversion is involved that is removing water needed from endangered fish species in the basin of origin. The operation of the non- charge program may also violate Reclamation's agency -wide goals for the tiered pricing of surplus water to encourage conservation. The use of the non - charge program water solely for power purposes does not validate its diversion from the Colorado River Basin. Power production is only a secondary purpose of the CBT Project pursuant to Article 16 of the Repayment Contract No. 9- 07- 70- W0020. Power production cannot be justified as an instigating reason for West Slope diversions in the absence of need for supplemental irrigation water.