PUB00004

• Year: 2003
• Title: Gunnison Basin Water: No Panacea for the Front Range
• CWCB Section: Administration
• Author: Land and Water Fund
• Description: Gunnison Basin Water: No Panacea for the Front Range
• Publications - Doc Type: Other

Meeting Water Demand Without Gunnison Water

vation, and environmental
protection: (1) planning and
design; (2) soil analysis;
(3) appropriate plant selec-
tion; (4) practical turf areas;
(5) efficient irrigation; (6) use
of mulches (to retain soil
moisture); and (7) appropriate
maintenance. Skeptics may
assert xeriscapes are dull and
dry, but well-designed
xeriscapes are beautiful,
incorporating the native tex-
tures and colors of Colorado's
grasses, evergreens, ground
covers and flowers.
Xeriscaping offers enormous
promise for saving water in
the Denver metro area.

In addition to saving water, xeriscape landscaping adds
color and texture to lawns and yards
--source: Dave Shows & Associates, Landscape Architects

Drip irrigation, as a substitute for water-wasting sprinklers, also saves water.
And, because plant needs are sensitive to the weather, rain sensors and soil moisture
detectors are good, localized means of making sure we apply no more water than
plants truly need. Especially for large water users, internet-available weather infor-
mation on a real-time basis can also help save water.

To our knowledge, no one has made an estimate of the amount of water that
might be saved by means of xeriscaping and related outdoor water conserving meas-
ures along the Front Range or in the Denver metro area, although Denver Water has
estimated outdoor water savings attributable to its revised Irrigation Efficiency
Program. Denver estimates that its program might save 9,500 AF/year at a cost per
acre-foot saved of $4,500, much less than the cost of most new water supply options.
However, we think that the Denver estimate merely scratches the surface of what is
possible. '6'

The potential in the entire Denver Metro area is much higher. By 2030 out-
door urban water use in the Metro area is likely to be at least 400,000 acre-feet per
year, absent water conservation beyond that already the subject of programs that exist
today. The Denver Water Department estimates that savings from xeriscaping are a
20% reduction in outdoor use for a single-family residence for a 50%-xeriscaped yard
and 40% for a 100%-xeriscaped yard. Assuming that single-family residential savings
from xeriscaping are available throughout all outdoor water uses in the metro area in
2030, if 50% of the areas using water out of doors in the Denver metro area are
xeriscaped, we could save 80,000 AF/year (20% x 400,000). If all such areas were
converted to xeriscape, the potential savings would be 160,000 AF/year.

These potentials based on rough assumptions. However, we think these esti-
mates give an idea of the magnitude of potential savings from a large-scale switch

. 38 .

The land and Water Fund of the Rockies