WSPC00711 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

OQU792 Although there is potential for additional irrigation development, new development in the South Platte Basin in Colorado will mostly be driven by population growth. The Colorado framework links the antiGipated impacts of water development to increases in population" In this way, the full range of water sources to be developed will be considered. Front Range water development and use will utilize different sources of supply, which will have varying effects on river flows downstream near the state line" Some water sources, such as transbasin diversions, add water to the system. Development of other sources, such as native flows, decrease river flows" The Colorado program looks at six basic sources of water supply that will be developed to serve new population: . Native South Platte Flows (Surface and Underground)" Generally, new development of South Platte flows will be in wet years during portions of the spring runoff, and will involve surface or underground storage" Development of this source will deplete the river when water is stored, and add water to the river from return flows after use, . Transmountain Diversions" Return flows from Colorado River Basin imports enhance South Platte River flows. · Non-tributary Groundwater. Large amounts of water are withdrawn from the Arapahoe and Larimie-Fox Hills formations of the Denver Basin aquifer. Return flows enhance South Platte River flows" · Conservation" Conservation will become increasingly important to Front Range municipal water providers. However, conservation will have no net effect on downstream river flows. . Wastewater Exchange and Reuse. Water providers who develop non-tributary groundwater and transbasin water supplies have the right to reuse that water under Colorado law" Although as a practical matter these water providers will never put this water to 100% conswnptive use, reuse and exchange programs will deplete river flows" · Changes in Use" As urban demands increase, agricultural land will be taken out of production and irrigation rights transferred to domestic use. Under Colorado law, such changes can be made only if no injury to downstream water rights will result" Generally, the change in use from irrigation to municipal leaves some additional water in the river. The Colorado program predicts where new population will locate in the Front Range" The program then looks at the sources of water that will likely be developed by major water providers to serve that new population, imposes transit loss factors, and predicts II