PUB00047

• Year: 2000
• Title: SECWD/Arkansas Basin Preferred Storage Options Plan Final Draft Report
• Author: GEI Consultants, Inc
• Description: SECWD/Arkansas Basin Preferred Storage Options Plan Final Draft Report
• Publications - Doc Type: Water Resource Studies

Final Draft - Preferred Storage Options Plan
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District
June 8, 2000

The Fry-Ark Project will be able to meet a .significant portion of the future water needs of those
municipal entities having Project water allocations. However, additional water supplies will
need to be developed to meet water needs to the year 2040. Various entities in the District have
identified the storage needed to meet these future demands. Storage is required to manage
existing water resources and provide drought protection. Total municipal storage need is
estimated to be 107,100 af, as summarized below:

Municipal Entity Storage
(at)
Colorado Springs Utilities 45.000
Other Fountain Valley Entities 22,000
Florence 2.300
Other Entities West of Pueblo 3.700
Pueblo Board of Water Works 20.000
Pueblo West Metropolitan District 5.500
SI. Charles Mesa 3.600
Public Service Company of Coiorado 5,000
Total 107.100

During the earlier GEl study (\ 998), new storage space of 66,000 af was identified for
agricultural purposes, including firm Winter Water space and for well augmentation supplies,
bringing the total storage need to 173, I 00 af. During PSOP formulation, it became apparent that
agricultural interests would not have the financial capability to develop this storage. The District
has identified the potential to develop 10,000 to 15,000 af of storage to meet various District-
wide objectives. This District Water Management Storage (DWMS) would be used for
improved Winter Water management, especially in light of "re-operation" of Fry-Ark Project
storage, management of well augmentation supplies and Project return flows, and operation of
a water bank to facilitate temporary transfers of water from agricultural to municipal uses. Based
on DWMS space of 15,000 af, the total storage need is 122,100 af.

Documentation of the need for storage is in various stages of completion. For example, CSU has
undertaken significant studies to support its identified storage need of 45,000 af. Several of the
smaller entities have not completed the detailed studies that will be needed to support Project
pennitting. Their participation in the PSOP will require that studies documenting their storage
requirements be completed. The DWMS space (\ 0,000 to 15,000 at) requires further discussion,
evaluation, and documentation prior to, or during, permitting of the PSOP.

m GEl Consultants, Inc.

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