WSPC05058

• File Number: 8040.950
• Description: Section D General Studies - General Water Studies
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 7/25/1978
• Author: Unknown
• Title: Draft Publication for Water Study
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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However, the analytical problems with dealing with water quality

on a statewide basis are overwhelming. First, techniques for exam-

ining water quality impacts on a broad geographic basis are, at best,

unrefined. Secondly, such an analysis requires masses of data which

are difficult to obtain and subject to significant errors. Finally,

if reasonable accuracy is to be insured, the analysis must be

detailed and site specific. In short, substantial amounts of money

are required to obtain even a crude understanding of the wawrquality

aspects of one hydrologic basin, let alone the entire state.

In light of these circumstances, it was decided that the water

study generally would not deal with water quality matters. However,

the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, through the statewide

wastewater management program, has provided funding for a brief exam-

ination of the legal and institutional relationships and conflicts,

if any, between the existing Colorado water rights system and state

and federal.water quality programs. The results of this examination

will be made available in late fall of 1978.

Another question as to the scope of the water study was whether

water-associated land resources (i.e., flood plains and wetlands)

should be examined. It was concluded that they should not, largely

because the use of flood plains and wetlands are more properly

viewed as, and arise primarily in the context of, land use concerns.

One final factor as to scope of the study is the future time

period considered. While planning efforts have typically made

projections 25, or even 50 years into the future, there is growing

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