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Water Supply (cant) Future The future water needs in the basins are unique within the state because irrigated agriculture use is expanding. Coupled with population growth in the four major counties in the basins future water supply issues focus mainly on management of existing projects for improved yield to support both traditional and non-traditional uses. . Irrigation (708,811) . Storage (388,375) . Municipal (14,606) . Stock (46,365) . Fish (32,712) . Commercial (1,702) . Recreation (1,105) . Domestic (744) . Industrial (422) Iii! Augment (373) . Recharge (38) Water Deliveries In Acre-Feet by Use Water Year 1996 October 1, 1996 to September 30, 1997 New/Future Projects The Animas LaPlata Water Conservancy District is planning to construct the Animas-La Plata Project (ALP) which includes the Ridges Basin Reservoir. Based on the 1968, Colorado River Basin Project Act, the ALP would divert flows from the Animas River to offline storage near Durango to produce a yield of 191,230 ac-ft per year, for use in partial settlement of Indian Tribe water rights claims and other traditional municipal and irrigation uses. In February 1996, a Biological Opinion was issued by the Fish and Wildlife Service that contained a Reasonable and Prudent Alternative that would limit the annual water depletion of the projects to 57,100 af. This down-sized version ofthe ALP has been presented by the Secretary of the Interior along with a nonstructural element to implement the Colorado Vte water rights settlement. Another project, Water for Everyone Tomorrow Package (WETPAC), is also pursued. This project is focused on expanding on the benefits of the Dolores Project. WETPAC is being designed to expand developed water from current facilities to provide supply for both traditional (i.e., Agriculture and M&I water) and non-traditional uses (i.e., Settlement of Indian water rights claim, downstream flow protection, fisheries support). FIc:>c:>c:I Prc:>t~c:tic:>..... The Colorado Floodplain Program was developed in 1990 to prevent flood damages, review and approve floodplain designations prior to adoption by local government entities, and provide local jurisdictions with technical assistance and floodplain information, The program [mds ways to reduce flood hazards Cumulative flood losses for the most damaging floods in Colorado between 1900 and 1993 include the deaths of33l people and $3.3 billion (1995 dollars) in property damage. The danger is present in 267 Colorado cities and towns and in each of the 63 counties. Flood flows along the Animas and Dolores Basins are most commonly associated with spring runoff timed with summer precipitation. For example, as shown below, flood flows in the Animas River can exceed 300 percent of average peak runoff flows. Flood Plains (delineated and proposed) To be added Damages Assessment (damages and comparison with other basins) To be added ..if'" .5~lT Flc:>vv Prc:>t~c:tic:>'ri. Limitations on Development New depletions in the San Juan Basin are limited to depletions of no greater than 57,100 acre-feet per year (afy) to allow for the recovery of two endangered fish (squawfish and razorback) as well as other native fishes. River Restoration Projects The Rio Blanco River Restoration Project has been in place since the early 90s to restore the Rio Blanco streambed habit and fishery in the area impacted by the San Juan/Chama project diversion. The CWCB, working with the San Juan Water Conservancy District and various state and federal agencies, is completing the construction of a demonstration project. Project participants aim to improve water quality and restore fishery benefits along the entire reach of the Rio Blanco from the V,S. Highway 84 bridge to its confluence with the San Juan River.