WSP05579

• File Number: 8147
• Description: Gunnison-Arkansas Project
• State: CO
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 11/24/1948
• Author: Pol Rev Com Gun-Ark
• Title: Minutes of Meeting Policy and Review Committee Gunnison-Arkansas Project Colorado with attached reports and documentation
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

... ."1--
1',1

Grand Junc:tion, Colorado
1larch 4, 1949

-

MEUORAlIDUJ4 TO I

1lembers
llemberB
'By'

of Policy and Review ColDIIIittee
of Steering Committee
C. II. Jex

Subjeot: AnAlysiB of Water Supply ... Roaring Fork Rivur in the Vioinity
of Aspen~ Colorado.

1. In the January meeting of the Policy and Review oommittee, it
waB BuggeBted that Engineer Powell supply trans-basin diverBion i.n.f'ormation
as it relates to the Roaring Fork River, and that this omoe prepare an
analYBis of water requirement in the vicinity of Aspen, Colorado,

2. The Roaring Fork River above A.spen and Hunter Creek near ABpen
are both used in supplying the water requirementB of the tovm of Aspen
and the Red 1lountain and Salvation ditoheB. Our analYBiB of water supply
ooverB both streams. A diversion of Hunter Creek water to storage at the
propoBed Aspen Reservoir oan be made at very small oost.

3. The attached tables" with supplementary footnotes, gives resultB
of our analysis for the 14-year period 1931-1944, inolusive., It will be
noted that 10,600 aore-feet of stream regulation at the proposed Aspen
Reservoir V1ill provide for full water requirementB as dete%'l!lined in the
analysis for the water nm-off year 1934. This, added to the 1934-35
fall and winter ,vater requirement, Shows 11,300 aore-feet aB the total
stream regulation requirement.

4. The data given in the tables relates only to water use requirements
(present end estimated future) in the vicinity 01' Aspen. The figures on
stream regulation do not provide for replacement storage in Western Colorado
(Grand Valley) in lieu 01' the Trr.i.n LakeB diversion, the Difficult Creek
diversion. or the Frying Pan Rivor diversion- It appears that the pro-
posed Aspen Reservoir offers an excellent opportunity for the storage 01'
water for this purpose. Our analysis indicates that the storable flO\v of
water using both the Roaring Fork River end Hunter Creek is in excess of
that required for ilIlDBdiate needs near Aspen and can probably provide the
anticipated replacement storage. In light of this condition, I V/Ould
suggest that consideration be given to this site for Western Colorado
(Grand Valley) replacement storage. A firm V/llter supply (1934) available
for storage at the site is approximately 20,000 acre-feet.

5- In review of this analysis it should be kept in mind that the
water requirement for the t01'1n of Aspen; the industrial use of that area,
the replacement water needed for live streams through the town, etc" are
based on rrry personal opinion., A f'ino.l determination of these matterB ,rill
influence the analysis. It should also be pointed out that stream run-off
and ditch diversion infoI"T]ation of the Aspen area is very liJnited and that
water supply data were conpiled lo.rgely by estil:!ntes. Should the Aspen
Reservoir be further considered for developnent it is suggested that
additional strea.'i1 ga(';ine; stations be installed.