BOARD02574

• Board Meeting Date: 1/12/1998
• Description: WSP Section - Arkansas River Issues - a. Future Water Storage Needs Assessment, c. Ground Water Pumping Measurement Study, d. Trinidad Lake Operating Principles
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

'~1'

"

January 28-29, 1998
Agenda Item 25
Page 2 of2

.

state objectives including: providing a safety factor for augmentation plans to assure full compact
compliance and perhaps as a supply to help meet future wildlife and recreational needs.

2. Agenda Item 25c. Ground Water Pumping Measurement Study.
The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the State Engineer are conducting a cooperative study of
the power conversion coefficient ("PCC") method to measure ground water pumping volumes as
currently allowed by the State Engineer's Arkansas River Basin ground water regulations. The state
of Kansas has challenged this method in testimony before the Special Master. The study will
evaluate the accuracy of the PCC method by comparing pumping volumes calculated using the PCC
method to volumes directly measured with totalizing flow meters on a randomly selected sample of
wells. A major cost of the study is the installation of meters on upwards of 100 irrigation wells in
the Basin. If necessary the USGS will suggest refinements to improve the PCC method and its
accuracy. The study should help the Special Master resolve this aspect of the controversy
surrounding Colorado's compact compliance efforts.
SB 97-008 authorized up to $100,000 from the CWCB Construction Fund for the State's share of
the study costs. Through an interagency MOU funds have been made available to the DWR which
is coordinating the study with the USGS. The Board approved a $75,000 increase at its November
1997 meeting. Suitable language has been included in the 1998 Construction Fund Bill currently
before the General Assembly, and the State Engineer has developed an interim funding strategy to
allow the study to continue pending action on the 1998 Bill. Staff will be attending a USGS briefing .. -
on initial study results and future activities on January 30, 1998.

3. Agenda Item 25d. Trinidad Lake Operating Principles.
USBR has conducted a lO-year (1985-1994) review of operations of the Trinidad Lake Project which
serves the Purgatoire River Water Conservancy District ("PRWCD'') and Trinidad Lake State Park.
Following its review USBR proposed several amendments to the project Operating Principles to
foster better utilit:ation of the available water supply and protect downstream water users in Colorado
and Kansas from additional depletions above pre-project conditions. The Arkansas River Compact
Administration ("ARC A") and Kansas must both approve any changes to the Operating Principles.
At its December 1997 annual meeting ARCA did approve a portion of the proposed amendments
to the principles that will allow the City ofTrinidad to convert existing irrigation rights to M&I uses
and store them in Trinidad Reservoir. However, more extensive changes, primarily relating to
winter operations under direct flow priorities that would improve the PRWCD's water supply, were
not approved. Kansas will meet on February 18, 1998 in Kansas City with USBR, PRWCD, and
Colorado officials to discuss their further objections to the proposed changes.

RECOMMENDATION
These items are informational only and staff has no recommendation, but will be available to answer
questions at the meeting or any other time.

.

(:.ISRNIIli'Jt\IlOAIW~l'.Wl'O
louoty-16,l....1