10825 Water Supply Alternative Summary Phase 2 Assessment January 2008 Draft

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DRAFT SUMMARY 10825 WATER SUPPLY STUDY 1.0 BACKGROUND Four warm water fish species that inhabit the lower reaches of the Colorado River watershed in western Colorado have been listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. The four fish are the Colorado pikeminnow (aka squawfish), razorback sucker, humpback chub and the bonytail. East Slope and West Slope water providers in the Upper Colorado Basin have committed to permanently supply 10,825 acre -feet of water per year (10825 Water) to assist with the recovery of the endangered fish. This water is supplied to the 15 -Mile Reach" of the Colorado River near Grand Junction, most commonly during the July through October period. During this time of year the stream flow of the Colorado River within the 15 -Mile Reach is substantially impacted by upstream water diversions, and the supplemental 10825 water is beneficial to the endangered fish. The commitment to provide 10825 Water is divided equally between East Slope and West Slope water providers, with each responsible to supply 5,412.5 acre -feet per year on a permanent basis. Currently, the 10825 water is provided on a temporary and interim basis by Denver Water (from Williams Fork Reservoir) and by the Colorado River Water Conservation District (from Wolford Mountain Reservoir). The agreements to provide the temporary 10825 water supplies have drought provisions that allow reduced water deliveries during dry years. The water providers must have permanent agreements in place that identify the permanent source of the 10825 water by December of 2009. Unlike the existing temporary 10825 agreements, the permanent agreements will require delivery of the 10825 Water in all years, including drought years. 1.1 STUDY PROCESS A broad coalition of East and West Slope water providers agreed in early 2007 to cooperatively analyze and compare a wide range of alternatives that would meet their obligations to provide 10,825 acre feet of water to the 15 -Mile Reach on a permanent basis. This report summarizes the second phase of an assessment that evaluates these alternatives. 10325, Vulater Supply study Phase 2 Alternatives Assessment January 2008 Draft