BOARD01094

• Board Meeting Date: 5/24/2004
• Description: WSP Section - Elkhead Reservoir Enlargement Status Report
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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STATE OF COLORADO

Colorado Water Conservation Board

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

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MEMORANDUM

Bill Owens
Govemor

TO:

Russell George
Executive Director

Colorado Water Conservation Board Members

FROM:

Randy Seaholm, ~
Chief, Water Supply Protection

Rod Kuharich
CWCB Director

Dan McAuliffe
Deputy Director

DATE:

May 17,2004

SUBJECT: Agenda Item 10, May 24-27, 2004 Board Meeting-
Water Supply Protection - Elkbead Reservoir Enlargement Status Report

Introduction

This is an informational item. The purpose of this agenda item is to provide the CWCB a status report on
the Elkhead Reservoir Enlargement Project and the various agreements that are being negotiated. It is
anticipated that the CWCB will consider the permanent acquisition of 5,000 AF of water and storage
space in the Enlargement and a short-term lease for an additional 2,000 AF at its September meeting.
Staff is seeking comments on the draft Acquisition Agreement at this time.

Backaround

The Upper Colorado River Recovery Implementation Program (UCRIP) is nearing the completion of the
"Management Plan for Endangered Fishes in the Yampa River Basin." The purpose of the Yampa River
Management Plan is to promote the recovery of four listed endangered fish species as water is depleted
from the river to serve projected human needs in the Yampa River Basin through the year 2045.
Management actions incorporated into the plan are designed to offset the depletive impaets on baseflows,
minimize impacts to peak flows and reduee the impacts due to competitive and predatory non-native fish.
Pursuant to the UCRIP documents, the CWCB is to hold and protect the water and water rights acquired
for DCRIP purposes.

Through hydrologic modeling with the Colorado Decision Support System (CDSS), it has been
determined that up to 7,000 AF is needed to maintain baseflows in the YampaRiver at 93 efs or more
during the August through October period, as measured at the Maybell gage, in all but the very driest of
years. Thirteen alternatives were evaluated to accomplish this and the enlargement of Elkhead Reservoir
by approximately 11,750 AF was determined to be the most feasible alternative.

Colorado Water Conservation Boord
Flood Protection. Water Supply Planning and Finance. Stream and Lake Protection
Water Supply Protection. Conservation and Drought Planning