Laserfiche WebLink
<br />,- <br /> <br />Applied Weather Associates (A W A) Study can be found at <br />hrt1J://cwcb.state.co.us/flood watch/Cherry Creek PMP Final Meeting!. The Corps 1999 Study <br />findings indicated there is a need for 100,000 AF for Probable Maximum Flood storage. The Corps <br />indicated a willingness to use the Applied Weather Associates PMP Study to revaluate the PMF storage <br />requirements at Cherry Creek Reservoir. <br /> <br />Rio Grande Basin <br /> <br />Bracing for More Export Fights: Rio Grande Water Users Association Attorney Bill Paddock told <br />water users at their annual meeting that the fight to protect VaHoy water from exportation is not over. <br />Paddock said three entities - SLY Water Company, Cotton Creek Circles LLC and the Colorado Home <br />Builders Association have challenged the proposed confined aquifer rules filed by the Division of Water <br />Resources last June. <br /> <br />Paddock supports the proposed regulations because they would require equal replenishment of water <br />depletions so water could not be exported without making up for that same amount of water somewhere <br />else. <br /> <br />An early-2006 trial is scheduled to debate the proposed confined aquifer regulations. State Engineer Hal <br />Simpson said the trial is scheduled to run six weeks from January to mid-March. <br /> <br />Area Heritage Act Moves Out of Committee: The Rio Grande Natural Area Heritage legislation has <br />passed the U.S. Senate Energy Committee. The legislation will now go to the full senate for approval. <br /> <br />The legislation, which was introduced by Allard and co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Ken Salazar, will <br />designate as a natural area a quarter-mile-wide band, 33.3-miles long, along the Rio Grande from the <br />southern boundary of the Alamosa National Wildlife refuge to the New Mexico state line. . <br /> <br />"The Rio Grande Natural Area Act would designate a pristine area around the Rio Grande River <br />stretching from Alamosa to New Mexico, protecting one of the most beautiful natural areas in our state, <br />and our state's water rights as well," Senator Allard said. The Natural Area would prevent a federal water <br />right from being imposed on the protected area. <br /> <br />River Maintenance: The City of Alamosa is preparing for the possibility of Rio Grande flooding because <br />of expected high run-off. To prepare for the high water year this spring and summer the city must clear <br />growth along the riverbank that could impede the flow ofthe river. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers <br />does not require a special 404 permit for routine willow maintenance. <br /> <br />City officials are concerned that although the levee was constructed to hold up against a 100-year flood <br />event, there may be flows this year may be exceed 100-year flood water levels. High water could also <br />breach the levee above and below Alamosa, where the dike was not reconstructed. <br /> <br />Congress to Help NM State Engineer: The New Mexico Water Planning Assistance Act has passed the <br />U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The bill (S.178) authorizes the state of New <br />Mexico to receive technical assistance from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) and the U.S. <br />Geological Survey (USGS). It also authorizes a total of $12.5 million ($2.5 million per year for 2006- <br />2010) for the Office of the State Engineer to perform hydrologic models of New Mexico's most important <br />water systems, basins and tributaries. <br /> <br />The federal agencies aiding the Office of the State Engineer will provide technical assistance, such as <br />acquiring hydrologic data, assessing existing water resources, coordinating efforts with federal water <br />management initiatives, and assisting with numerical analysis and modeling to provide an integrated . <br />understanding of water management options. <br /> <br />28 <br />