PUB00048

• Year: 1992
• Title: Systems Integration as a Water Supply Source for the Denver Metropolitan Area
• CWCB Section: Water Conservation & Drought Planning
• Author: Hydrosphere Resource Consultants
• Description: Overview of water supply alternatives and suggestion for process to address future water supply needs of the Denver Metro Area
• Publications - Doc Type: Historical

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DRAFT 8/24/92, Page 19

2. Availability of storage capacity, timing and location of physically and legally
available flow for storage upstream in the South Platte drainage which will be
required to make an exchange have not been considered in detail. Since such
storage potential will probably rely heavily on the Denver and Aurora storage
facilities, the study should consider the operation of these reservoirs carefully in
light of other water resource management objectives and constraints. Likewise, the
possibility of using facilities primarily intended for flood control purposes in the
exchange must be reviewed.

3. There are several exchanges on the South Platte in the Denver reach already
decreed. The degree to which these existing decreed exchanges would interfere
with the Barr Lake Plan operation must be examined, from both physical and legal
viewpoints. Water quality considerations may play an important part in this
consideration, because existing exchanges may in some cases be constrained by
water quality aspects.

4. The degree, type and location of wastewater treatment which will take place as part
of this plan requires independent analysis. Among the aspects playing a role in this
decision will be governmental requirements, future (downstream and down-ditch)
uses of the water, groundwater quality considerations associated with drinking
water sources located in the irrigation service area (for example, nitrates are
presently a parameter of concern), water quality requirements for crop irrigation
and recreational/wildlife purposes, etc. If, for example, Barr Lake is to become a
potable water source, wastewater treatment requirements will probably be much
more stringent than if it is to remain primarily an irrigation storage facility.

5. Drainage considerations associated with the new Denver Airport might be integrated
with the Barr Lake Plan. Detailed consideration of water quality and flow and
requirements for storage and treatment aspects must take place, but there appears to
be a possibility for complementary management of drainage, water supply and
wastewater .

6. The use of the Beebe Draw alluvial aquifer for subsurface storage and possible
treatment offers significant possibilities. However, institutional considerations
associated with the aquifer operation (recharging and pumping, operation for
wastewater treatment purposes) must be considered and integrated with other uses
of the aquifer and land by other parties. At this point, compatibility and
complimentarily of existing and proposed uses of the Beebe Draw have not been
established.

7. Although the Barr Lake Plan document mentions the possibility of ensuring the
continuation of agricultural use of land in the command area of the Companies, it is
not clear that this will occur merely with the institution of the Barr lake Plan. The
Companies apparently seek to retain the right to sell or otherwise use their water as
long as the functioning of the Barr Lake Plan is not disturbed, although details of
this would depend upon the specific arrangements.

8. The Barr Lake Plan document does not specifically address the possibility of an
"interruptible supply" type of arrangement, in which water might be made available
to municipalities only when shortages occur. It would be reasonable to consider a
interruptible supply contract in connection with the Barr Lake Plan, although such
an arrangement could also be developed separately. Such an arrangement might
necessitate a smaller capital investment in both infrastructure and sales price, and
might potentially provide many of the benefits associated with the Barr Lake Plan,