PROJ00090

• Contract/PO #: FS0015X
• Contractor Name: Powderhorn Metropolitan District No. 1 and No. 2
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 0
• County: Mesa
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR ROBBINS RESERVOIR

I. Project Study Objective/Project Need

The project is to rehabilitate and enlarge the Robbins Reservoir Dam to meet current
safety standards and allow the reservoir to be put into service. The multi~use reservoir
would provide storage and operating capacity for various purposes. The primary use and
reason for constructing Robbins Reservoir is for augmentation storage and releases. The
construction of the reservoir would allow other uses which are needed and make the
reservoir more cost effective and valuable to the District. Other uses of the reservoir
would include; storm water detention, irrigation water storage and raw water storage.

The Powderhom Metropolitan District provides water and sanitary service to the existing
Powderhom Ski Area and surrounding commercial and residential community. The
District is in the process of implementing a long-term strategy for water supply
development. The existing, and much of the future water supply for the District is
derived from junior diversions from the Big Beaver Creek drainage, in which the District
is located. Two augmentation plans were adjudicated in the late 1980's to confirm a
reliable legal supply from these sources. Under these plans, the District is required to
deliver its augmentation water to Mesa Creek at its confluence with Big Beaver Creek.
The primary sources of augmentation water consist of (a) various senior irrigation rights
on Mesa Creek, and (b) water stored in Robbins Reservoir, located on Big Beaver Creek.

A reservoir was previously constructed and operated on the site of Robbins Reservoir, but
the existing dam has been breached in several locations, and the original water right
abandoned. The District holds two decrees for Robbins Reservoir, and has received a
ruling in Case No. 95CW352 which will allow water from various sources to be
exchanged into Robbins Reservoir.

Long term development of the District's water supply relies heavily on the ability of
Robbins Reservoir to store spring runoff in priority for release in accordance with the
augmentation plans. Although the District has other sources of augmentation water on
Mesa Creek, physical and legal constraints have prevented the District from effectively

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