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<br />combination of natural and artifical techniques for the . <br />development of low-cost water storage. This resource has <br />experienced little to no development and has the potential to <br />provide a water supply for various uses. <br /> <br />The study would be conducted as a "special investigation" in <br />two phases. Phase I would take 18 months and would focus <br />primarily on testing the concept of utlizing high mountain <br />aquifers as ground-water reservoirs. A phase I report would be <br />completed and a decision to continue or end the investigation <br />will be made at that time. <br /> <br />During phase II, a detailed study effort would refine the <br />recommended alternative from Phase I. This effort would lead to <br />a Regional Director's planning report and environmental <br />assessment. The product of this phase could be used to request <br />preconstruction funding. <br /> <br />The Cory Company has already conducted appraisal level <br />engineering and hydrologic surveys of potential high mountain <br />aquifer sites in Colorado. A total of 84 potential sites have <br />been identified and mapped. Of the 84 potential sites, 74 were <br />investigated in the field. It is estimated that 438,600 <br />acre-feet of water annually would be physically available from <br />these "reservoirs." <br /> <br />The total storage for the 74 ground-water reservoirs is . <br />estimated at 317,400 acre-feet. However, the storage rights <br />applied for by the Cory Company total 769,500 acre-feet. The <br />Company has filed for water and storage rights for 71 of the 74 <br />potential sites. <br /> <br />It is my understanding that data available to the State <br />Engineer indicate that all claims involve the appropriation of <br />tributary groundwater and that such appropriations could only be <br />effected if no injury to vested water rights occurred. <br />Non-injury may require the acquisition of senior water rights <br />and/or implementation of plans of augmentation. Furthermore, <br />development of certain of the proposed sites could adversely <br />impact decreed instream flows or natural lake levels held by <br />the Board. <br /> <br />Ji'lM/gl <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />-2- <br /> <br />January 11, 1985 <br />