WSP05411

• File Number: 8141.700
• Description: Fryingpan-Arkansas Project - Annual Operating Plans and Reports
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 11/1/1990
• Author: US DoI BoR
• Title: Annual Operating Plan Fryingpan-Arkansas Project Colorado 1990 - 1991
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Annual Report

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F. Mt. Elbert Conduit/Halfmoon Creek Diversion

During water year 1990, 87,900 acre-feet of water was released from
Turquoise Lake and 10,800 acre-feet of water diverted at Halfmoon Creek
Diversion through Mt. Elbert Conduit to Mt. Elbert Forebay (exhibit 10).
In addition, 4,220 acre-feet of water was released into Mt. Elbert conduit
from Turquoise Lake for use by the Leadville Federal fish hatchery.

G. Twin Lakes/Mt. Elbert Forebav and Mt. Elbert PumDed-StoraQe
PowerDlant

On September 30, 1989, the lake surface elevation of Twin Lakes was
9169.76 feet with a content of 74,750 acre-feet of water (66 percent of
normal). Mt. Elbert Forebay water surface elevation was at 9639.36 feet
with a content of 9,440 acre-feet (123 percent of normal). Exhibits 11 and
12 show the precipitation and pan evaporation at Twin Lakes.

Twin Lakes was operated throughout the year bypassing native inflow in
excess of storage rights, releasing project water to Pueblo Reservoir, and
drawing water out of storage for the City of Colorado Springs upon demand.
Part of the project water was retained upstream until July and August to
provide additional water for recreational purposes on the Arkansas River and
at Pueblo Reservoir. The higher evaporation rate in Pueblo Reservoir was
also considered when making the decision to leave the water in Twin Lakes.
Project water was released from Twin Lakes during July and August at rates
which would, in addition to native Arkansas River ~ater, provide
approximately 700 ft3/s at the ga9ing station at Wellsville. The releases
also were made to coincide with project demands on Pueblo Reservoir. These
releases made it possible to maintain Pueblo Reservoir at a higher level
which provided for better recreation. Table 8 and exhibit 13 show Twin
Lakes/Mt. Elbert Forebay operation for water year 1990.

Mt. Elbert Pumped-Storage Powerplant had at least one unit available
throughout the water year. The powerplant had 98,700 acre-feet of flow
through water available along with 193,540 acre-feet of water pumped from
Twin Lakes. The powerplant generated 104,758,000 kilowatt-hours or
96 percent of average during water year 1990 with 281,890 acre-feet of water
(table 9).

Twin Lakes/Mt. Elbert Forebay combined storage totaled 117,630 acre-feet
(97 percent of normal) at the end of the water year. Twin Lakes storage was
108,460 acre-feet and Mt. Elbert Forebay was 9,170 acre-feet. These storage
quantities represent 95 percent and 120 percent, respectively.

H. Pueblo Reservoir

At the end of water year 1989, Pueblo Reservoir content was
113,500 acre-feet. The Winter Water Storage Program was in effect from
November 15 through March 14 allowing the maximum daily storage in Pueblo
Reservoir of 36,020 acre-feet of water. Of the 36,020 acre-feet of winter
water stored, 21,800 acre-feet was released, 2,240 acre-feet evaporated and
12,240 acre-feet remained in storage at the end of the water year. In
addition to the 1989-1990 winter water releases, 6,210 acre-feet of

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