BOARD00368

• Board Meeting Date: 7/23/2001
• Description: WSP Section - South Platte Reconnaissance Study Update and Decision to Proceed with Feasibility Study
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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STATE OF COLOMDO

Q

Colorado Water Conservation Board

Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street, Room 721
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
www.cwcb.state.co.us

BiJlOwens
Governor
GregE.Walcher
Executive Director
Rod Kuharich
eWeB Director
Dan McAuliffe
Deputy Director

MEMORANDUM

To:

COlorado~l.r Conservation Board Members

Rick B~ri, Interstate Streams Investigations

From:

Date:

July 12, 2001

Subj ect:

Agenda Item 21.e" July 23-24,2001 Board Meeting, South Platte
Reconnaissance Study, Update and Decision to Proceed with Feasibility
Study

Introduction

GEl Consultants, acting under contract to the Colorado Water Conservation Board
(CWCB), have completed a draft Reconnaissance Level Study of Water Management and
Storage Alternatives (Study) in the lower South Platte Basin in Colorado. The major
findings of the Study are summarized in this Board memorandum, The Board will be
provided the option to approve funding for a Feasibility Study at either their July or
September meeting.

Backl!found

In January 2000 the Board approved up to $140,000.00 to conduct a Study of water
management and storage options in the lower South Platte basin. Information from the
Study is intended to help decision makers evaluate the most effective means of
developing and managing flows in the lower South Platte River in a manner that is
complementary to the Three-State Platte River Cooperative Agreement (CA). The Study
area extends from approximately Sterling, Colorado to the Colorado-Nebraska state line,

The CA was signed by Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming, and the US Department of
Interior (acting through the Fish and Wildlife Service) in July 1997, The overall goal of
the CA is to improve the survival of whooping cranes, piping plovers, and the interior
least tern by improving flow and habitat conditions along the Central Platte River in
Nebraska, The CA requires the States to implement specific water management
activities, and to develop additional plans that if agreed to can become part of a 10-13
year Implementation Program.

Flood Protection. Water Project Planning and Financing. Stream and lake Protection
Water Supply Protection. Conservation Planning