Lower South Platte River Study

• Contractor Name: Colorado Water Conservation Board
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

Lower South Platte River Study
Colorado Water Conservation Board
December 2001
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Section 1 - Introduction
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1.1 Study Objectives
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' The purpose of the Lower South Platte Water Management and Storage Sites Reconnaissance
Study(the Study) is to identify and evaluate potential surface water storage facilities and
1 associated management options in the Lower South Platte River Basin in Colorado and to
identify options for improving the management of South Platte River flows for beneficial use
in Colorado and to aid in Colorado's participation in the Proposed Endangered Species
Recovery Program (the Program) developed pursuant to the Three States Cooperative
Agreement for South Platte River Research and other efforts relating to endangered species
' habitat (Cooperative Agreement). The study includes identifying new surface water storage
sites, an analysis of existing surface water storage sites that could be modified or expanded,
an evaluation of options for conveyance of water to and from each site, a review of operating
' plans for existing storage reservoirs and recommendations that could increase water yield
associated with these existing reservoirs. The study focused primarily on the identification of
opportunities for surface water storage. The potential for operating surface water storage in
' conjunction with groundwater recharge and the potential non-structural water management
options are identified with recommendations for further study at the feasibility level.
The results of this study will help decision makers to evaluate the most effective means of
developing and managing Colorado's water commitments to the Proposed Endangered
' Species Program, consistent with state law, the South Platte River Compact, sound water
management principles and protection of existing and future uses within Colorado. Water
management facilities used in conjunction with groundwater re-regulation could allow
' Colorado to "fine tune"water management actions, so that existing uses in Colorado are met
and protected and so that commitments to the Program are met concurrently. The facilities
could also provide added in-state benefits by helping to offset future depletions and increase
' water rights administration flexibility.
' 1.2 Scope of Work
The scope of work for this study included gathering background information on water
' management and storage options in the Lower South Platte River Basin and estimating the
water available for storage and release to meet the project goals. The general location of the
' study area is identified on Figure 1.1. In general, the reservoir siting study was undertaken
along both the north side and south side of the South Platte River over an approximately 40-
mile length of river upstream of the Colorado-Nebraska line, which is near Julesburg,
GEI Consultants, Inc. 1-1 01002 Dec 2001 Lower South Platte River Study