Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. <br /> <br />The Study identifies and evaluates 22 potential water storage sites, The sites are shown <br />on Sheets 1-3. Relevant characteristics for each site are summarized in Table 1. <br /> <br />The results of the water availability analysis indicate that significant volumes of water are <br />available to be developed in the Lower Basin, based on a monthly water availability <br />analysis for the 1943-97 period of record. For example, an average of 192,000 acre-feet <br />per year is available at the Harmony Ditch No. I headgate. There is extreme variability <br />in the water supply; in a very wet year up to 708,000 acre-feet may be available in a <br />single month, The storage analysis is based on using existing water conveyance canals <br />and ditches to fill the storage. Only ditch capacity in excess of historic use in the 1943- <br />1997 period was assumed to be available to deliver water from the river into storage. <br /> <br />It is important to note that much of the water that is available for development is <br />available during winter months. This will present an operational challenge that needs to <br />be evaluated in greater detail during the feasibility study. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />In addition to the storage options outlined above, the idea of a "mined" reservoir was <br />introduced later in the study process. Gravel pits in the Denver metro area are being <br />converted and/or developed during mining into lined-water storage facilities. As demands <br />for concrete aggregates and road base materials increase, due to the 1-25 widening and <br />light-rail project (T -REX Project) and other large-scale construction projects, it would be <br />prudent to consider potential water storage development opportunities with CDOT and/or <br />construction contractors seeking aggregate sources. Key issues include: the near-term <br />demand for sand and gravel in the metro area, relative to more locally available sources; <br />the location and suitability of materials in the Lower Basin alluvium for aggregates and <br />base course; the timeffames necessary to create storage opportunities; and the costs <br />associated with transporting materials from the project area (downstream of Sterling, <br />Colorado) to the metro area. Further study of this storage alternative is planned for the <br />feasibility phase ofthe project. <br /> <br />Non-structural measures will need to be explored as part of detailed planning for the <br />project; however, potentials appear to be limited. Reservoir re-operation, water <br />exchanges, and water banking may have merit within the context of a larger structural <br />solution. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />3 <br />