PUB00061 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Director's Corner- NOW that fall has arrived, many ski resorts have offi- cially started to divert water for snowmaking. As usual, our Physical Protection Program Coordinator Jeff Baessler is closely monitoring streamflows across the state to ensure the state's instream flow water rights are protected in accordance with the priority system and the various agreements which we have with many of the ski areas. In addition, Jeff is currently investigating other means of measuring wintertime streamflows to improve overall accuracy of winter flow measurements, especially on streams impacted by ice. These efforts are being closely coordinated with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the Division of Water Resources (DWR). This month, we hope to finalize a joint funding agreement with the USGS to implement a study on new stream gaging methodologies for winter flow measure- ments. Accurate ice-affected streamflow records can, at times, be difficult to obtain. The inaccuracy of ice affected streamflow records is particularly troublesome for monitoring and enforcing instream flow water rights from late fall through early spring. In an attempt to address this prob- lem, the CWCB will work with the USGS to determine the usefulness and accuracy of What's new? ice-affected streamflow records using a sodium chloride tracer-dilution discharge methodology. The tracer will be injected at two gaging stations once per day for 25 days. Multiple-parameter sensors at the two gaging stations will monitor back- ground and peak-tracer concentrations and relative conductance. These data will be used to determine streamflows at each site and the tracer-discharge measurements will be compared to discharge determined from standard gaging station operations. We believe that this study will enable the CWCB, USGS and DWR to accurately measure winter flow conditions across the state, especially in streams where water is diverted for snowmaking. Our feature article describes staff's efforts to modernize the State's Stream and Lake Protection Program. We hope that docu- ment imaging and GIS development, espe- cially when they are linked with the Colorado Decision Support System will provide you with easy access to our files and other information about instream flow water rights. In addition, We believe that these tools will assist our staff in its effort to ensure that the water-dependent natural environment of the state is protected to a reasonable degree. In this issue of InStream Colorado, we are privileged to introduce one ofCWCB's newest members, Eric Wilkinson, to our readers. Eric's support of the Stream and Lake Protection Program and his unbiased views about balancing water development and the protection of the natural environ- ment will clearly pave the roads toward the development and implementation of poli- cies relating to our Program. As always, I ask for your continued support for the Stream and Lake Protection Pro- gram. I am excited about new funding that is becoming available to us and the new ways we plan to improve our Program. Your support and guidance are therefore especially crucial at these times.. -Dan Merriman, Director Stream and Lake Protection Program New Appropriations. The CWCS continues to work with interested parties regarding proposed 2002 instream flow appropriations in the San Miguel and Dolores River Basins} which were recommended by the BLM and CDOW. Staff is soliciting public comments for these recommendations by holding local public meetings and also meeting with the county commissioners I local towns and senior water right holders. Staff recently met with representatives from Norwood Water Commission} the Town of Telluride and the Tr'V'LLr.iPp~~.4'it(a5.~,.,mC'!,!"'\~=_"+I'\Ah_""'4<!i~_.=~.,;,"".t:T.oI,~~~Uz:..-"'?.&t"'1"-"~",,,,,,,,,........;.l~~~~ ;!;!."}""'~~'1i.."?~i""'~~~ .!"1._ ",,~d<":;l'~t~ -----,;