WSP06777

• File Number: 8281.980
• Description: Colorado River Studies and Investigations - Upper Gunnison/Uncompahgre Basin Water Study
• Basin: Gunnison
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 8/12/1987
• Title: Upper Gunnison-Uncompahgre Basin Study
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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In addition to the USBR, several other reservoir sites and power
projects have been proposed recently by water interests which include
private organizations and the City of Aurora.

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STUDY OBJECTIVE

The goal of the Upper Gunnison-Uncompahgre Basin Study is
and evaluate water resouree development plans to enhance the
economy of the study area in an environmentally sound manner.
porting study objectives include the following:

to i dent ify
water-based
The sup-

. To identify in-basin opportunities for environmental and recrea-
tional enhaneements.

. To examine the physical and legal availability of water in the
basin as well as with future in-basin water demands (ineluding
water for streamflow enhancement).

. To examine potential water and hydropower components in the Gun-
nison and Uneompahgre Basins.

'To determine annual water yield, eost, and technical feasibility
of both structural and non-structural alternatives.

.To make a preliminary assessment of the eeonomic and financial
feasibility of water development alternatives.

.To examine the technical and financial feasibility of using hydro-
power and potential out-of-basin sale of water (that is in excess
of in-basin demands) to fund in-basin water development components
of the projeet.

..To select alternative water development plans for further investi-
gation.

A primary goal of the study will be to improve fisheries and recrea-
tional opportunities and to provide greater public aecess for these aetiv-
ities. Given the apparent inability of recreational and agricultural
water users to pay for additional water development, other sourees of
revenue ineluding hydropower generation and potential out-of-basin water
sales will be considered in an effort to identify sources of funding for
water development and additional reereational opportunities within the
study area.

STUDY PARTICIPANTS

Several public agencies, water users associations and private consul-
tants will participate in the project. The study will be managed by the
Authority and will be eonducted by a consultant team lead by HDR Infra-
structure, Ine. The Bureau of Reclamation will work with the consultant
team through their Assistance to States Program. The consultant team
includes the following specialty subeonsultants:

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