WSP00220 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Quarterly Newsletter October, 1996 Volume I, Issue 4 -""r ,,,.,t,.~ ,.,"",-.;'" Colorado River Storage Project Act How water projects are funded in the Colorado River Basin The Colorado River Basin covers seven states and parts of Mexico, a drainage area of over 244.000 square miles in the southweSlern United States. Precipitation ranges from 30 to 45 inches per year in the mountainous head water areas to less than 5 inches per year in the lower desert and canyon areas. Historically, the Colorado River has experienced con- siderable nuctuations in river flows, both in terms of sea- sonal runoff and overall nows in wet or dry years, These seasollal and al/lIl1al These seasonal and annuaJ tluctuutio!1s in the Colorado River Basin have created problems and opportunities for the states and communities in the Basin. Historically, River Basill the upper basin states (Colorado, New have created Mexico, Utah & Wyoming) lacked year round water resources, particularly in the later Slimmer and early fall irrigation peri- ods, or in the mid winter low nows for municipal uses. In the high country, nearly 2/3 of annual nows occur during the late spring/early summer run-otTo leaving other times of the water year short Oil waler resources. In the Ic)\ver Basin states (Arizona, Cali fmnia, Nevada), the Colorado flooded com- munities during 'wct" cycle years and lacked enough water during thc dry years. ]n both the upper and lower Colorado River Basin slates. water storage on rivers in the Colorado Basin could provide for irrigation. municipal, industrial and recreational uses. In additioll. the erratic historical flows of the Colorado could be belter managed for the benefits of the states. Indian tribes. communities and residents of the 7 states. jlllctllatiolls ill the Colorado problems alld o/l/lortllllities... (continued ()}/ page 3) ~f '" }';;, ""'''''",",'' Community Members Tour Dolores Water Project The Animas LaPlata Water Conservancy District (ALPWD), iu cooperation with the Dolores Water Conservancy District (DWCD) conducted a bus tour of the Do]ores Project and McPhee Reservoir on September 14, 1996. Members of the ALP Conservancy District board, e]eeted officials and com- munity members were hosted by DWCD Genera] Manager, John Porter, for the day long tour of diversion facilities, pump- ing plants, project control, operations center and irrigation facilities contained within the Dolores Project. Beginning with a site visit to the Dolores Project operations and control center, Porter explained details of the water project and de- livery facilities. Most of the irrigation and water delivery facilities, including pumps, canal check dams, water levels Tour of Irrigation System on Project Lands in canals, and field pumping plants can be controlled from the operations center. The Dolores Projcct, as a participat- ing project in the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP), produces 1.5 times as much electrical power as the project delivery systems uses. This hydro electric power is pro- duced at a power plant below the dam structure on the Do]ores River and at a power plant below the main diversion tunnel for the Towaoc Canal. In addition to the Do]ores Project water, the district (DWCD) has an agreement with Montezuma Valley Irrigation Company (MVI) for water stor- age in dry years. (continued on page 2) Table of Contents Colorado River Storage Project Act ..........1 Interview: Board Member -Steve Fearn......2 Upcoming Event Calendar....... ................. Water Information Resources.............. ......4 ...4