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<br />ALTERNATIVES T :, ~ LARGE-SCALE AGRICULTURAL WATER TRANSFER'
<br />
<br />John R. Clark Ph.D., P.E!
<br />
<br />ABSTRACT: The paper presents the results of a multi-disciplinary study of a possible large-scale
<br />water transfer out of the Fort Lyon Canal Company (FLCC) in southeastern Colorado. The
<br />study, funded in 1992 by the Colorado General Assembly at the request of the Colorado Water
<br />Conservation Board (CWCB), estimates the effects of this water transfer on the FLCC and the
<br />surrounding communities and identifies alternatives to a permanent out-of-basin transfer.
<br />
<br />The FLCC is the largest irrigation company in the Arkansas River Basin of Colorado,
<br />serving 92,600 acres and diverting an average of 211,600 acre feet (at) annually. The
<br />socioeconomic, hydrologic and environmental effects of such a transfer are addressed. Relevant
<br />historic water transfers in the area are discussed for perspective. Three alternatives to sale and
<br />transfer out of the valley, from the perspective of the FLCC shareholders, are described:
<br />1) increase internal transfers through bylaw changes and company investment in new
<br />facilities; 2) regional temporary and permanent transfers within the lower valley by lease and sale,
<br />using water banking and land fallowing; and 3) dry-year temporary transfers, using water option
<br />agreements between FLCC shareholders and Front Range water users, such as Metropolitan
<br />Denver water utilities.
<br />KEY TERMS: Water transfers, water marketing, water banking, impact assessment.
<br />
<br />INTRODUCTION
<br />
<br />The Fort Lyon Canal Company (FLCe) is the largest irrigation company on the Arkansas
<br />River of Colorado, providing water to approximately 92,600 acres. The FLCCwater rights date
<br />back to 1884. The company diverts an average of 211,600 acre feet (at) of surface water per year,
<br />based upon the records from 1950 to 1985. Direct diversions range to 933 cfs,plus additional
<br />diversions under various contracts and about 250 supplemental wells. The main canal stretches
<br />over 100 miles and has 365 headgates. The FLCC also has several reservoirs, totaling about
<br />110,000 af of storage. The company is managed in five operating divisions, with one
<br />superintendent and a five-member Board of Directors
<br />
<br />In December 1991, Colorado Water Supply Company (CWS), submitted an offer to
<br />shareholders of the FLCC for the purchase of their shares. CWS desired to purchase at least a
<br />
<br />1 Presented at the Annual Summer Symposium, American Water Resources Association,
<br />Effects of Human- Induced Changes on Hvdrologic Svstems, Competition Between Users; Jackson
<br />Hole, Wyoming, June 26-29, 1994.
<br />
<br />2 Project Manager and Study Team Leader, Gronning Engineering Company, Denver,
<br />Colorado.
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