Laserfiche WebLink
<br />001092 <br /> <br />2.1 10825 Water <br /> <br />In association with the habitat protection element, the PBO relies on a permanent conunitment by <br /> <br /> <br />water users in the State of Colorado to release 10,825 acre feet of water per year to the 15-Mile <br /> <br /> <br />Reach. This water is to be used for stream flow augmentation for the four listed fish species (J 0825 <br /> <br /> <br />Water). The water users' commitment to permanently supply the 10825 Water is divided equally <br /> <br /> <br />between East and West Slope water users, with each group responsible for the provision of 5,412.5 <br /> <br /> <br />acre feet. The 10825 Water is to be provided during low flow periods in the summer and fall <br /> <br /> <br />months when the stream flow within the ] 5-Mile Reach is substantially impacted by upstream <br /> <br />water diversions. <br /> <br />Currently the 10825 Water is provided and released on an interim basis only, pursuant to <br />Memorandums of Agreement with. Denyer Water, and the Colorado River Water Conservation <br />District (River District) and the U.S. Fish a.nd Wildlife Service. The inte~im East Slope portion of <br />the obligation is primarily released from Williams Fork Reservoir, which is operated by Denver <br />Water. The interim West Slope portion of the obligation is currently released from the River <br />District's Wolford Mountain Reservoir or from the River District's water supplies available in <br />Ruedi Reservoir. The interim agreements contain important provisions that allow the reduction of <br />releases during drought periods. <br /> <br />Permanent sources of the 10825 Water are not currently available. The agreements providing for <br /> <br /> <br />the interim release of the 10825 Water are effective through July I, 2010, so long as the PBO <br /> <br /> <br />remains in effect. The ab'1"eements may also be extended for up to five additional years upon <br /> <br /> <br />mutual agreement of the parties involved. <br /> <br />2.2 Coordinated Facilities Operations Study (CFOPS) <br /> <br />A secondary habitat protection element in the PBO is related to the Coordinated Facilities <br /> <br /> <br />Operations Study (CFOPS). The objective of this program is to supply up to 20,000 acre feet of <br /> <br /> <br />water to the 15-Mile Reach of the Colorado River during peak spring runoff conditions. This water <br /> <br /> <br />would be used to enhance spring runoff to meet water needs for the endangered species. <br /> <br />RECOVERY PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES <br />2-2 <br />