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<br />the question has arisen on whether the utility could share with other metro-area <br />communities and the Western Slope any extra water it may have. The question is being <br />raised as the utility launches a formal revamping of its long-term water plan, and as new <br />studies show Colorado as a whole facing future water shortages. <br /> <br />"While we aren't (required) to hook new people up to our system, we think we may have <br />an obligation to help - not a statutory obligation, but perhaps a moral obligation," Denver <br />Water Manager Chips Barry said at a water board briefing on June 24th. <br /> <br />The revised water plan is to be completed in 2007. New projections based on 2000 <br />figures, which include the effects of modern water fixtures and metering and <br />conservation programs, show water use at about 165 gallons per person per day. Older <br />projections, based on 1980 water use, placed per capita usage at about 235 gallons daily. <br /> <br />The difference may mean the utility, the state's largest, will have as much as 96,000 acre- <br />feet of extra water in its system when it's fully built, according to chief planner Greg <br />Fisher. That would be enough to serve up to 192,000 urban families for a year. <br /> <br />How much of that extra water should be kept for emergencies and unanticipated growth <br />is a tough question that will be answered in the coming months as the five-member <br />volunteer board re-evaluates its system in light of the drought and other factors. <br /> <br />Dillon Reservoir Water Levels Reach a New High: In late June, water levels at the <br />Dillon Reservoir reached the highest levels they've been since 2001. Warm weather <br />continues to melt the remaining snow pack, now rushing into the Dillon Reservoir, which <br />is a major source of water for Denver. Water started spilling over the reservoir's "glory <br />hole," which only happens when the reservoir is better than full. Dillon Marina Manager <br />Bob Evans said it really hadn't spilled and gone through the glory hole since 2001. <br />According to Denver Water, the Dillon Reservoir right now is about a tenth over full. <br /> <br />Cheeseman Dam Celebrates a Century: Cheesman Dam, the jewel of the Denver <br />Water system, is a hundred years old this year, and the Denver Water Board is planning <br />to celebrate its century of service. No dates or specifics have been posted as of now, but <br />readers are encouraged to go to Denver Water's website at www.denver.co.gov for <br />information as it is posted. <br /> <br />Rio Grande Basin <br /> <br />Sen. Salazar Requests Continued Funding From Secretary Norton: On June 10, U.S. <br />Senator Ken Salazar with Senator Wayne Allard sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior <br />Gale Norton today asking for continued funding for planning for a Habitat Conservation <br />Plan in the San Luis Valley. The Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) would provide needed <br />habitat for the endangered Southwest Willow Flycatcher and at the same time provide <br />assurance to private landowners that they would not face additional restrictions during the <br />course of the HCP. Senator Salazar also asked Secretary Norton that the lands in HCP be <br />excluded from critical habitat designation in the region for the Willow Flycatcher since it <br /> <br />40 <br />