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<br /> <br />. <br /> <br />CHAPTER II <br /> <br />PROBLEMS AND NEEDS <br /> <br />development of project water has also been expressed by several private <br />entities including Aspen Realty Co., Aspen One, and Glenco Development <br />Co., Inc. <br /> <br />Existing Domestic Supplies <br /> <br />The town of Basalt derives its municipal water supply from springs <br />north and east of the town. Concern has been expressed about the gradual <br />decrease in the flow of these springs. The springs are currently produc- <br />ing 700 gallons per minute or about 1,100 acre-feet annually. Peak demand <br />on the system is 1,300 gallons per minute. Existing facilities pennit <br />storage of 26,000 gallons. At the present time the water supply is con- <br />sidered adequate but more water is needed to meet future growth. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />CarbondaJ.e obtains its water from springs on the slopes of Mt. Sopris. <br />These springs are holding up well and are producing about 1,000 gaJ.lons <br />per minute or about 1,600 acre-feet annually. With 250,000 gaJ.lons of <br />existing storage capacity, this supply is barely able to keep up with <br />the demand. Water pressure is often low at the end of the day. Tap serv- <br />ice to new developments is limited because of an inadequate water supply. <br />Carbondale is working on obtaining an additional supply from Nettle Creek <br />south of town and the supply is expected to be available in 1974. The <br />amount to be developed has been estimated at 1,000 gallons ~er minute. <br />It is doubtf'u.1 that this new source can supply enough water for any new <br />developments outside the city. <br /> <br />The ruraJ. and suburban areas receive domestic water from a variety <br />of sources, including wells, springs, and irrigation ditches. Some of <br />these supplies are acceptable while some would be abandoned for the con- <br />venience, dependability, and safety of a better system. It is antici- <br />pated that many users would switch to project water it if were available. <br /> <br />Irrigation Supplies <br /> <br />The present irrigation supply is derived from the flows of Cattle, <br />Coulter, Mesa, and Landis Creeks, supplemented by storage releases from <br />small reservoirs. The natural flows of the streams during the spring <br />snowmelt are adequate for irrigation needs. In most years shortages <br />occur in the last half of the irrigation sea.son. Shortages up to 80 <br />percent are experienced in some years in some parts of the BasaJ.t area. <br />A dependable water supply would grea.tly benefit individuaJ. farmers and <br />ranchers and would stabilize the local economy. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />13 <br />