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<br />e <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />Return flows from transmountain sources offset the depletions to the Arkansas River resulting <br /> <br />from the pumping of post-compact wells. These return flows were used to offset post-compact <br /> <br />well pumping depletions during the 1950 to 1985 study period. The return flows reduced <br /> <br /> <br />depletions to useable stateline flows to about 10,000 acre-feet per year. <br /> <br />If these return flows could be legally acquired by the ARBWMP and made available in the future, <br /> <br /> <br />these return flows would be an important component in a long-term augmentation program. The <br /> <br />transmountain return flows have averaged around 30,000 acre-feet in recent years and also <br /> <br />augment some of the impact of well pumping upon senior canals in Colorado. If the ARBWMP <br /> <br />leased 30,000 acre-feet per year of transmountain return flows of the current atthe current cost <br /> <br />of $1 0 per acre-foot, it would cost $300,000 per year and reduce the amount of additional water <br /> <br /> <br />to be acquired to approximately 10,000 acre-feet per year. <br /> <br />Senior water rights located below John Martin Reservoir are currently on the market at a cost of <br /> <br /> <br />$500 to $800 per acre-foot of consumptive use. If this water is acquired and the use changed <br /> <br /> <br />to augmentation, legal and engineering costs could increase the total cost to approximately <br /> <br />$1,000 per acre-foot. Assume that 12,000 acre-feet of consumptive use water is purchased to <br /> <br /> <br />provide for 10,000 acre-feet of replacement water and 2,000 acre-feet of evaporation loss if stored. <br /> <br />in an account in John Martin. This would result in an acquisition cost of $12,000,000. The <br /> <br />ARBWMP could amortize this purchase cost over 40 years at an interest rate of 2 to 4 percent <br /> <br />through a loan with the Colorado Water Conservation Board if the CWCB and the Legislature <br /> <br /> <br />would authorize it. Annual payments would range between $365,000 at 2 percent to $600,000 <br /> <br />at 4 percent. <br /> <br />It The administrative costs are difficult to estimate, but for the purposes of this discussion could <br /> <br />- 3 - <br />