WSP02622

• File Number: 8141.400
• Description: Fryingpan-Arkansas Project - Reports
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 4/1/2003
• Author: US DoI BoR
• Title: Draft Environmental Assessment For the Pueblo West Pipeline and Pumping Station Project
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: EIS

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Hvdrology

Affected Environment
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Pueblo West Water Use and Arkansas River Conveyance - Pueblo West uses several sources of
water to meet their water demands. These sources range from water rights at Twin Lakes Reservoir
. near the upstream end of the Arkansas River to wells near Pueblo Reservoir (See Table 3.2). Water
from each of the sources is conveyed to Pueblo West in a similar manner. Water moves from its
source down the Arkansas River to Pueblo Reservoir where it is then released through the South
Outlet Works and pumped through Pueblo West's 24 inch pipeline to their water treatment plant. All
of Pueblo West's water is conveyed through the 24 inch pipeline.

Pueblo West's maximum historic water use occurred in 2001 with a total of 4,179 acre-feet (AF) used
for the year, for a monthly average of 360.1 AF. Pueblo West's water use was down slightly in 2002
(drought conditions) with a total annual usage of 3,745;1 AF or a monthly average of 325.8 AF. These
monthly averages equate to approximately 6 cfs of average daily flows for 2001 and 5 cfs for 2002.

Table 3.2 Sources of Pueblo West's Water and Total Decreed Amount by
Water Source.

Water Source
Twin Lakes Com an
Colorado Canal & Reservoir Com an
Wheel Ranch water for golf course use
Non-tributary wells
Exchan es from Wastewater Effluent
Hill Ranch (in the courts for decree)
TOTAL

Decreed AF
6,285
122
14.6
5,392
1,095
1,780
14,678.6

Annually, the State of Colorado - State Engineer's Division 2 Office (State) provides Reclamation
with rljcommendations for Arkansas River flows above Pueblo Reservoir to achieve desired target
flows. These flows are primarily targeted at optimizing health of the fishery, fishing opportunities and
white water rafting experience. Reclamation makes efforts to achieve these recommended flows by
operating the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project (Project) to increase or reduce net flows in the Arkansas
River as appropriate and as sufficient water and storage is available to do so. Consequently, Project
operation adjustments made by Reclamation to meet the target flows tend to regulate the river at
specified quantities. For example, the State has in the past recommended a target flow of 700 cfs in
the Arkansas River between July I and August 15, as measured at the Wellsville water gauge. If the
sum flows by all other entities are 450 cfs, Reclamation would attempt to make 250 cfs of Project
water available to meet the target. When there is sufficient water in the upper Arkansas Basin, this
essentially results in somewhat regulated flows throughout the year on the Arkansas River.

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