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<br />total water diversions. For example, the Ute Water Conservancy District (UWCD) diverts water from <br />Plateau Creek for municipal and commercial use in the Grand Valley. While diversions are upstream of <br />Cameo, return flows associated with this use accrue to the Colorado River downstream of both the Cameo <br />Demand and the 15 Mile Reach. When it is necessary for the Ute District to augment the Cameo <br />Demand, or offset depletions to the 15 Mile Reach, the District may have to replace total water diversions, <br />not just consumptive water use. <br /> <br />The majority of the anticipated growth in the Grand Valley is expected to occur within the service area of <br />the UWCD. Recent projections indicate that more than 70% of the future growth in the area will be served <br />by the District. Current diversions by the Ute Water Conservancy District average less than 8,000 acre <br />feet per year. However, the UWCD estimates that by the year 2045, average annual diversions in excess <br />of 37,000 acre feet will occur. This represents a potential increase of almost 30,000 acre feet of annual <br />depletions to Cameo and the 15 Mile Reach from UWCD diversions alone. <br /> <br />Given the above considerations, we anticipate a demand for reservoir water will occur, to augment a <br />significant portion of depletions associated with future municipal growth throughout the basin. In this <br />regard, it is not unreasonable to expect that the municipal contract demand for reservoir water will <br />increase by 10,000 to 15,000 acre feet, or more, by the year 2045. <br /> <br />5.2 INDUSTRIAL DEMANDS <br /> <br />Industrial contracts (both approved and pending) from Green Mountain Reservoir and Ruedi Reservoir <br />currently total about 14,000 acre feet, per year. Industrial reservoir contracts are primarily used for <br />augmentation of snowmaking diversions or for augmentation of evaporation losses from gravel pits. <br />Several site specific industries, such as the Gypsum Wallboard Plant, also require augmentation water. <br /> <br />Actual industrial demands are difficult to anticipate. However, as population growth continues, increased <br />industrial development on the West Slope will occur. A portion of this development will require water right <br />augmentation resulting in increased demand for industrial reservoir contracts. <br /> <br />Future industrial demands will depend on the type of industries developed and the location of these <br />industries. For example, demands for gravel pit augmentation will likely increase throughout the basin as <br />more or larger gravel pits are developed in response to growth within the study area. <br /> <br />Snowmaking demands are also prltjected to Increase. In recent years, the area of ski terrain covered by <br />snowmaking has increased significantly. Many areas are routinely increasing the coverage of their <br />snowmaking systems. Another factor affecting snowmaking demand is the potential development or <br />expansion of significant new ski areas. If major ski area expansion or development is permitted (Adam's <br />Rib, Burnt Mountain, etc.), snowmaking demands may increase significantly. If no major ski area <br />expansions occur, the increase in snowmaking demand will lessen. <br /> <br />] <br />.1 <br /> <br />20 <br />