BOARD00949

• Board Meeting Date: 5/21/2001
• Description: CWCB Director's Report
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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This project is a reconnaissance level study of water management and storage sites in the lower South
Platte basin. The study area will focus on potential water management opportunities from approximately the
Tamarack Ranch State Wildlife Area to the Colorado-Nebraska state-line. The study is intended to provide
infonnation that will assist in identifying surface storage structures that could facilitate Colorado's
management of South Platte River flows, including coordination with groood water recharge projects, for in-
state beneficial uses, such as water right and South Platte River Compact administration and providing benefits
for biological species of concern in Colorado, and for participation in an endangered species program being
developed pursuant to the Platte River Cooperative: Agreement.

The study officially got underway on January 5, 2001. Our consultant, GEl Inc. has completed an
initial review of existing information and has completed some work on water availability. Approximately 17
potential storage sites have been identified ranging in size from approximately 1,000 to 21,000 acre-feet. We
have also developed preliminary screening criteria that will be used to obtain a "short list" of the most
promising sites.

As expected our initial challenges appear to be related to fill and release logistics, and moderate to. high
ratios for embanlanent volume to water storage volume. A meeting with our stakeholder group will be scheduled
in the next few weeks to discuss initial results and to obtain feed back on the preliminary screening criteria. We
plan to have a draft final report in May 2001.

Construction Fund - Remonal Water Planni"!! Studies

Purllatoire River Water Conservancy District..:. Transit Loss Investigation Study
Authorization: lIB 95-1155 SB 99-173 Grant Amount: $60,000ater
Source: Purgatoire River Project Type: Transit Loss
Study Location: Trinidad Project Manager: Steve Miller

This project is being conducted by the Purgatoire River Water Conservancy District [PRWCD] in
conjooction with the USGS and USBR. In Phase I it was determined that on an annual average basis
mainstem losses were offset by gains. In Phase II the remaining $35,000 of CWCB funding is paying for a
portion of the costs of an analysis of transit losses itl the conveyance systems of the participating members of
the PRWCD. This infonnation will enable the PRWCD to better allocate its water supply, and will also help
answer questions about water use and retwn flows raised by downstream water users. The CWCB's Phase II
funds have not yet been contracted, as the work loads between the PRWCD, USGS, and USBR are still being
refined.

Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District - Water and Storage Needs Assessment
Authorization: lIB Grant Amount: $25,000
Water Source: Purgatoire River Project Type: Water Supply Study
Location: Pueblo Project Manager: Steve Miller

This project is being conducted by an enterprise created by the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy
District [SECWCD] in conjunction with municipal and agricultural water users with its service area. Phases I
and II received $100,000 ofCWCB grants from the severance tax account [see below] that paid for a portion
of an analysis of future water supply and storage needs in the lower Arkansas basin [Buena Vista to Lamar].
Phases I and II reSulted in a quantification of needed storage space and a Preferred Storage Options Plan for
meeting these needs. This additional $25,000 grant from the construction food is being used to allow the
SECWCD to examine in more detail issues surroooding agricultural to urban water rights transfers and a
District water bank or management account at Pueblo Reservoir as part of Phase II. Contracts between the
District and CWCB for this additional work are currently being developed.

Lower Elk River Flood Association - Elk River Streambank Study
Authorization: HB 98-1189 HB 00-1419 Grant Amount: $30,000 + $15,000
Water Source: Elk River Project Type: Stream Stblzation Study
Location: 8 mi. west of Steamboat Spgs. Project Manager: Larry Lang