BOARD02570

• Board Meeting Date: 9/25/2000
• Description: CF Section - Tunnel Water Company
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

STATE OF COLORADO

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Colorado Water Conservation Board
Department of Natural Resources
nn Sbernun Street, Room 721
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX (3m) 866--l47~ M E M 0 RAN DUM

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Bill Owens
Governor

TO: Colorado Water Conservation Board Members

John Van Sciver ___-rz:I7/J U' .
Mike Serlet, P.E., Chief !Jj
Water Supply Planning gifd inance Section.

FROM:

Greg E. Walcher
Executive Director

Dan McAuliffe
Deputy Director

DATE: September 15, 2000

SUBJECT: Agenda Item 11., September 25-27,2000 Board Meeting
The Tunnel Water Company

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Introduction
The Tunnel Water Company (TWC) is applying for a $1,600,000 Emergency Loan to rehabilitate
the Laramie-Poudre Tunnel. The estimated total cost of the emergency portion of the project is
$1,770,000. Please see the attached project summary and map.

Backqround
The TWC, located in Larimer County, operates the Laramie-Poudre Tunnel for the benefit of the
shareholders by providing direct flow irrigation water. The Tunnel diverts from the Laramie River,
about 60 miles west of Fort Collins, and delivers water through a 2-mile tunnel to the Poudre
River. Water is diverted from the Poudre River by downstream shareholders, and delivered to the
100,000-acre service area as a partial supply. A portion of the Laramie-Poudre Tunnel collapsed
May 28, 2000, plugging the tunnel so that water delivery is not possible. The TWC needs to
complete emergency repairs prior to the 2001 irrigation season. The TWC is eligible for a loan
from the CWCS Emergency Infrastructure Repair Account.

Feasibility Studies
Don Deere, P.E., of Rocky Mountain Consultants, has completed an initial engineering
assessment of the tunnel, including a cost estimate to repair the damage caused by the cave in.
John Van Selver will complete the CWCS Feasibility Study using information provided by the
Company and their Engineer. The study is in final draft form and includes an assessment of
alternatives available for rehabilitation of the Laramie-Poudre Tunnel.

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The Tunnel Water Company
The TWC is a mutual ditch company and a non-profit corporation registered in the State of
Colorado. There are 2 shareholders and 450 shares of stock. The TWC is two thirds owned by
the Water Supply and Storage Company (WSSC) with 300 shares, and one third owned by the
Windsor Canal and Reservoir Company (WCRC) with 150 shares. The TWC has the power to
set annual assessments to be paid by the shareholders, the power to cut off water deliveries to
shareholders that fail to pay their assessments, and the power to offer stock for sale to pay
back assessments.