PROJ00229 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

~ . . Small Reservoir Feasibility Study S-5 Many of the shortages shown in Table S-4 are the result of the strict interpretation of Green Mountain operating rules embodied in the basin model; exchanges from the Sales Pool are prohibited when storage levels reach minimum targets and exchanges from the HUP are prohibited when the total HUP release has reached the 66,000 AF /yr limitation. 1 Many of these shortages would be mitigated by more flexible day-to-day application of operating policies and by implementation of demand management measures in dry years (such measures are contemplated in USBR contracts for Sales Pool allocations). Shortages associated with users having insufficient Sales Pool allocations could be remedied by increasing the requested allocation except for those months when Green Mountain contents are at minimum target levels. , Other in-basin shortages are the result of modeled demands being slightly different than diversion limits contained in water rights decrees or agreements. These shortages tend to be frequent but small. Users showing shortages of this type should review their demand projections and diversion limits to determine if there is true cause for concern. ... ~ The shortages of most significance are those associated with diversion curtailment and insufficient storage or physical supply; these shortages can only be remedied through . development of additional supplies or storage facilities. Users showing shortages of this type are Climax, Copper Mountain, Keystone, and the Town of Dillon. In the case of Climax, a substantial amount of water is stored in tailings ponds and recycled; the basin model did not simulate ore processing to this level of detail, instead representing only water stored under storage decrees. Therefore, the shortages shown at Climax are probably somewhat overstated. ~ . Curtailment shortages to Copper Mountain are a small component of overall shortages to the snowrnaking demand there. They could most effectively be mitigated by making relatively minor changes in diversion practices, such as increasing reliance on the proposed Tenmile Creek pipeline or installing some high capacity wells. - ow I The curtailment shortages to Keystone demands, in conjunction with low instream flow levels and water quality problems associated with mine drainage, suggest that further study of water development measures on the upper Snake River may be justified. I Shortages to the Town of Dillon under ultimate demand conditions will require an alternative water source. The Town has two such sources available in the Old Dillon Reservoir system and in its allocation of Summit County subordination water. I I lIt should be noted that the 66,000 AF limitation on HUP releases induces shortages about once every six years at Cameo; these shortages average about 20,000 AF and range up to 56,000 AF. These shortages are somewhat less frequent than those estimated by the USBR in its modeling of Green Mountain Reservoir Water Marketing operations but they indicate general agreement with USBR results. The Sales Pool shortages iden\ified in the present study are not directly comparable to previous USBR results because different Sales Pool demand patterns and locations have been used and because the present study assumes Summit County users will rely first on their other water supply and exchange sources. Although it was not a study objective to precisely replicate the results of previous modeling work, the Blue River basin model produces results which are substantially in agreement with that work. I I I I