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<br />1.0 INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />In recent years, the demand for reservoir water stored in the upper Colorado River Basin has significantly <br />increased. This increased demand is primarily associated with in-basin municipal and industrial Water <br />uses, and with environmental (instream) water demands. <br /> <br />The municipal and industrial demallds are principally related to the water right augmelltation requirements <br />of local water users. Many of the in-basin municipal and industrial water users have relatively junior water <br />rights. West Slope reservoirs, such as Green Mountain Reservoir and Rued! Reservoir, are a common <br />source of water right augmentation for these junior rights. <br /> <br />Environmental demands for reservoir water have typically been associated with instream uses. Several <br />endangered fish species occupy the Colorado River in the river segment downstream of the City of Rifle. <br />Releases of reservoir water from upstream storage facilities are used to increase stream flow and <br />enhance instream habitat for these endangered species. As whitewater recreation use continues to <br />increase, a demand to augment stream flow for recreation purposes may also occur. <br /> <br />With continued municipal and industrial growth on Colorado's West Slope, the amount of water diverted for <br />in-basin uses will increase. This will significantly increase the demand to lease or acquire reservoir water <br />within the upper Colorado River Basin. Depending upon the success of current efforts to protect and <br />increase the popUlations of endangered fishes, the demand for water for environmental purposes may <br />also increase. <br /> <br />The Colorado River Water Conservation District is currently nearing completion of the Wolford Mountain <br />Project located on Muddy Creek near Kremmling, Colorado. The approved capacity of the Wolford <br />Mountain Reservoir is 60,000 acre feet, and the District is currently seeking permit approval to increase <br />the capacity to 66,000 acre feet. A portion of the water stored in the reservoir can be used for in-basin <br />augmentation and other beneficial uses. In addition, the District has a pending Ruedi Reservoir contract <br />for 1,500 acre feet of water per year. <br /> <br />The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the potential in-basin demand that may occur for water <br />stored in Wolford Mountain Reservoir, or for the District's Ruedi Reservoir contract. The amount, timing <br />and location of future West Slope municipal and industrial demands, along with other potential demands <br />for District water supplies, are assessed. This study updates and refines our recommendations and water <br />demand estimates which were previously provided to the Districfs Board of Directors on April 17 and on <br />May 8, 1995. <br /> <br />I <br />I <br />, <br /> <br />1 <br />