Laserfiche WebLink
<br />) <br /> <br />REVISED PROPOSAL FOR ADDITIONAL <br />FEASIBILITY STUDY <br />LOWER ARKANSAS WATER MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION <br />July 16, 1997 <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br /> <br />In the spring oJ 1996, LA WMA presented to the State Engineer a program for the <br />replacement of well depletions during the 1996 irrigation season. The program was based <br />on the feasibility studies that were completed by Helton & Williamsen, P.C.; sources of <br />replacement water that were obtained by LAWMA, a large portion of which was obtained <br />under loans from the Colorado Water Conservation Board Construction Fund; and on the <br />Amended Rules and Regulations. The Amended Rules and Regulations were promulgated <br />by the State Engineer in September 1995, were approved by the Water COLJrt in April <br />1996, and became effective in June 1996. LAWMA's proposed replacement program was <br />approved by the State Engineer on May 31, 1996. <br /> <br />The LA WMA replacement program calciJlated well depletions and 1996 replacement <br />. water requirements based on the 1991-95 average pumping. Stream depletions to <br />Colorado water rights were calculated using the "presumptive depletion factors" provided <br />in the Amended Rules and Regulations. Depletions to Usable Stateline Flow were <br />calculated using the results of the Kansas H-I Model that had been used by Colorado and <br />Kansas to calculate the depletions to Usable Stateline Flow during 1950-85 and 1986-94. <br /> <br />LAWMA submitted a 1997 Rule 14 Plan in February 1997 which was approved on <br />March 28, 1997. There were several differences between the 1996 and 1997 plans. The <br />. principal difference was the requirement to base the monthly depletions on the measured <br />pumping volumes for the present and preceding months rather than the five-year average <br />.., _ amounts. The impact of this change is that forecasting depletions and matching those <br />depletions with replacement supplies will be more difficult and will require more <br />conservative estimates of the required replacement supplies. Also, the State Engineer <br />required enforceable pumping limitations on individual wells or farm units. LAWMA's <br />current policy does not place volumetric limits on pumping. However, due to the cost, <br />availability, and dry-year yield of replacement sources, volumetric limitations may be an <br />unpleasant reality. Accordingly, LAWMA is seeking additional financial assistance from the <br />Colorado Water Conservation Board for an additional feasibility study and for a grant or <br />additional loans to obtain additional water sources. <br /> <br />STUDY OBJECTIVES <br /> <br />The objectives of the additional feasibility study will be (1) to assess how LAWMA's <br />requirements for replacing well depletions will change in the future, (2) to assess the yield <br />of the Highland Irrigation -Company and Fort Bent Ditch Company water rights for use as <br />replacement sources, (3) to assess the options available to LAWMA to satisfy the more <br />stringent requirements, and (4) to recommend a strategy for the overall accomplishment of <br />LAWMA's replacement requirements. We have identified eight tasks to include in this <br />additional feasibility study to accomplish these objectives. These tasks are discussed <br />below. <br /> <br />Appendix A to Loan Contract C153756 <br />