FLOOD10288

• County: Gunnison
• Community: Upper Gunnison
• Basin: Gunnison
• Title: Upper Gunnison-Uncompahgre Basin Phase 1 Feasibility Study Final Report
• Date: 1/1/1989
• Prepared For: Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority
• Prepared By: HDR Engineering, Inc.
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Floodplain Report/Masterplan

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flooding problems on the South Platte. This problem was not
addressed in the study. With Union Park's highly responsive.
1,000 acre feet per day, gravity flow capability to Metro Denver.
an environmentally damaging reservoir on the South Platte would
not be required.

Economic, Environmental, and political Reality Because of
its unique multiplier effect. Union Park can increase Metro
Denver's safe yield 40% more than any South Platte alternative
for about 60% of the annualized cost per acre foot, while still
guaranteeing Taylor River flows 50% higher than required by the
Colorado Water Conservation Board. The Collegiate Range and
Taylor Park alternatives are not competitive. because their total
system cost per unit of yield would be at least 40% higher than
Metro Denver's other non-Gunnison options. These options include
Two Forks. Green Mountain Exchange. and City - Farm Recycling.

Because of the national controversy over damming the South
Platte and its higher environmental and economic cost, we believe
Union Park will ultimately be the first major project constructed
for Metro Denver. However, if one of these non-Gunnison options
is constructed first, the Upper Gunnison will have lost its
window of opportunity for basin of origin revenues for at least
30 years.

It is a well known fact that the untapped Gunnison has large
amounts of surplus flood vaters that are currently being lost to
the down river states. Union Park provides a very cost
effective. environmentally sound system for both slopes to fully
exploit a small portion of these lost water resources. If the
Upper Gunnison Study is completed objectively, the Authority. the
Upper Gunnison, and the entire state can join in a consensus that
fully supports Union Park as Colorado's next major water
development project.

Rocky Point vs. Needle Point As a potential source of
in-basin revenue, the Gunnison Study also includes a cost
comparison of NECO's Rocky Point Pumped Storage Power Project
with the study's preferred power project at Needle Point. A
preliminary evaluation by our consultants indicates the study's
cost differential is off by about $70 million. We also doubt
that Needle Point would be permitted in a National Recreation
Area.

All parties should be aware that the proposed Taylor Park
and Collegiate Range alternatives would conflict operationally
and environmentally with our existing Rocky Point water rights.
Union Park complements Rocky Point because it stabilizes the
level of Taylor Park Reservoir at the near full level to minimize
the daily 2 to 3 foot fluctuations when Rocky Point is in the
pumping/generating mode. Our engineers and consultants are
prepared to discuss these projects in detail.

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