Letter from Southwestern Water Conservation District

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Jennifer Gimbel (MOA Requests) June 30,2011 Page 2 Participating Projects(constructed) Pine River Project (Vallecito Reservoir) + The floor of the spillway of Vallecito Reservoir has been identified as a priority maintenance issue by the BOR in their scheduled evaluations and CFR write-ups for a number of years. The floor has been degraded by freezing and thaw cycles for decades,and will need to be repaired or replaced in the not too distant future. This is a classic example of the increasing needs of aging infrastructure of older Bureau projects. Estimated Cost: $6 million Florida Project(Lemon Reservoir) + Major canal renovation and lining is currently underway on the"Project Works"on the Florida Project,with a shortfall in funding for entire water conservation program. The need for improvements to the conveyance system to reduce water loss was identified in the 1988 BOR Rehabilitation and Betterment Study,and the Florida Water Conservancy District/Florida Mesa Canal Companies 2006 Water Conservation and Management Plan. Grants for studies and initial work have been obtained from the Water Supply Reserve Account(SWBRT$100,000k and Statewide Account$1 million),and a WaterSmart grant from BOR of$1 million. Approximately 20 miles of canals were identified for lining,with nearly 2 of the 20 miles is to be lined using the CWCB&WaterSmart grants. Total estimated cost for lining of the additional 18 miles will be about$20 million for the long term project. Estimated Remaining Cost: $20 million Animas-La Plata Project(Lake Nighthorse) v The State of Colorado has a statutory allocation in ALP of approximately 10,000 af of supply (5,230 af depletion). A fund has been set aside to generate funds to offset the variable costs of OM&R,including pumping, but fixed costs for OM&R shall be assigned to each project participant. Ultimately,the use of the MOA funds to offset these fixed OM&R costs will be beneficial to all end users of the State of Colorado allocation. Estimated Cost Colorado portion: $100.000/year d• The need for an extension of a pipeline off of the outlet structure below Ridges Basin Dam has been identified to facilitate the use of water by multiple Colorado participants utilizing water released from the reservoir. The need and feasibility are currently under evaluation. A feasibility report was completed in November of 2010 by the BOR,and recently released to entities interested in utilizing the structure. Current Estimated Cost: $1.5 million ❖ All funding was removed from the project for recreation,but there is a critical need to protect the existing water supply for all project participants. The reservoir currently has one access point, with a boat ramp constructed using Water Supply Reserve Account and Wallop-Breaux funding. An invasive species inspection and wash station is needed to prevent mussel contamination. Estimate Cost: $100,000 ❖ The administration of ALP is dependent on the operation of a gaging station at Tall Timbers Resort on the Animas River near the"Teft Diversion". A change of water right filed in 1980 to allow for the construction of the project as currently configured for diversions at the Durango Pumping Plant and storage at Lake Nighthorse,but requires the operation of the gage to identify water supply available to the project. The BOR has not provided funding the operation of this gage,which is critical to administration of the project. The gage was re-opened a few years ago based on various needs including safety and recreation concerns,as well as water administration. Long term funding is not secure for the site,but current funding partners for the seasonal gage operation include; the Forest Service,La Plata County,and the SWCD. Estimated cost for year round operation of the gage: ($16000 geryear)a Cost$hare Portion$8,000