WSP00420

• File Number: 8441.600.20
• Description: CBT Title Transfer to NCWCD
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Date: 10/1/2000
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: Draft Environmental Assessment - Title Transfer of Selected Colorado-Big Thompson Project Water Facilitiies to the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

TITLE TRANSFER OF
SELECTED COLORADO-BIG THOMPSON PROJECT WATER FACILITIES TO
THE NORTHERN COLORADO WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT

OCTOBER 2000

Introduction
The u.s. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is considering transferring ownership
of selected Colorado-Big Thompson Project single purpose water facilities to the
Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (District). The selected water
facilities---the Dixon Feeder Canal, Charles Hansen Supply Canal and Windsor
Extension, and North Poudre Supply Canal and Diversion Works (hereinafter referred to
as "the facilities")--are located in Larimer County, Colorado (Figure I) and are owned
by the United States and administered by Reclamation. The facilities are used only for
distribution of water for irrigation, municipal, and other non-power purposes.

Reclamation, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, was established by

Congress in 1902. Reclamation's mission is to manage, develop and protect water

resources in the 17 western states in the interest of the American public. The District was

created in 1937 as the local public agency to contract with the United States to build the

Colorado-Big Thompson Project. The District was authorized under the Conservancy

District Act, which was passed by the Colorado General Assembly and signed into law by

the Governor in 1937.

The Colorado-Big Thompson Project is the largest transmountain water diversion

project in Colorado. Built from 1938 to 1957, the C-BT Project provides supplemental

irrigation water to 600,000 acres of farmland and supplemental municipal water to 30

cities and towns. The project stores water from the Colorado River headwaters in a series

of reservoirs on Colorado's West Slope. Water is transported, via the 13-mile Alva B.

Adams Tunnel, through the mountains to the District's 7-county service area in