PUB00053

• Year: 1999
• Title: Metropolitian Water Supply Investigation Final Report
• Author: Hydrosphere Resource Consultants
• Description: Metropolitian Water Supply Investigation Final Report
• Publications - Doc Type: Water Resource Studies

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Metropolitan Water Supply Investigation

Introduction

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The Convention also focused on a "systems integration" approach to water supply
planning. This approach envisioned a cooperative and inclusive water supply planning
process to supplement the ongoing effort of individual water providers. Several potential
water supply options were highlighted including the proposed Barr Lake Plan, the
Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District's Southern Water Supply Pipeline,
conjunctive use of surface and groundwater, interconnection and coordinated operation of
individual water supply systems, pooling and sharing of supplies, and regional
management of systems.

Many conference participants felt that the State of Colorado could fill a unique role in
advancing cooperative water supply solutions by acting as a facilitator and coordinator,
offering the technical expertise available within state agencies, and providing financial
support.

1.3. MWSI ORIGINS AND OBJECTIVES

Conference participants' overall response to the cooperative possibilities raised was
generally positive. Based on this response, the MWSI was initiated under the joint
leadership of the State Legislature and the Governor. The 1993 Session of the General
Assembly authorized the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to spend up to
$450,000 to investigate opportunities for enhanced coordination in meeting the water
supply needs of the metropolitan Denver area.

During the summer of 1993 the Colorado Department of Natural Resources formulated a
preliminary scope of study for the MWSI. This scope of study targeted three specific
water supply opportunities:

1. The Barr Lake Plan, as suggested by the owners of the Burlington Ditch
system that serves agricultural lands to the northeast of the metro Denver
area;

2. Integration of the water supply systems of the metro Denver area and the
northern Front Range via the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy
District's proposed Southern Water Supply Pipeline; and

3. Conjunctive use of non-tributary Denver Basin groundwater with surface
water supplies systems.

The overall focus of the investigation was to be a cooperative analysis of these supply
side opportunities. The preliminary scope of study did not include projections of future
water demands, which had been addressed in previous studies including the Metropolitan
Denver Water Supply Environmental Impact Statement. Also excluded from the MWSI's
scope of study were investigations of new water development projects or of the potential
of additional water conservation savings. It was felt that these topics had already been
studied in prior efforts.

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Prepared for the Colorado Water Conservation Board. Colorado Department of Natural Resources by
Hydrosphere Resource Consu.1tants. 1002 Walnut Street. Suite 200, Boulder, CO 80302