WSP06255

• File Number: 8240.200.47.G
• Description: Silt Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/1997
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: Silt Project - Final Appraisal Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

Chapter 2 - Identification of Problems/Opportunities and Needs

Table 1 (Continued)

ProblemlOpportunity Statement

Needs Statement

3 -- Endangered Colorado River Fish

Four fish species in the upper
Colorado River basin are in danger of
extinction. Seasonal changes in flow
resulting from the development and
use of water resources in the upper
Colorado River basin have been
identified as one of the causes of the
decline in the native fish species. Rifle
Gap Reservoir is one of the Federal
reservoirs in the upper basin that
might serve as a potential source of
water to enhance flows in the critical
"15-Mile Reach". Failure of the
Recovery Program may impede future
water development on the west slope
and the granting of Federal permits
(e.g. 404 permits).

Help supply water to critical reaches
of the Colorado River when needed to
recover the endangered fish (i.e.
develop a self-sustaining population)
without adversely affecting existing
irrigation use.

4 -- Domestic Water Supply

a.) In some parts of the SWCD, water
drawn from wells is of poor quality &
production is low; the water table is
decreasing.

b.) There is increasing demand for
small amounts of water for
subdivided farms, livestock, etc.

c.) New domestic water wells lack a
source of augmentation water.

Supply domestic water, either directly
or indirectly as augmentation water
for new wells, for growing rural areas
within the SWCD boundaries.

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