WSP07211

• File Number: 8149.911
• Description: Miscellaneous Small Projects and Project Studies - SE Needs Assessment and PSOP
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 4/1/1999
• Author: AK River Basin Water
• Title: Preliminary Findings Arkansas River Water Needs Assessment
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Significant srorage facilities were also builr in the
upper basin ro srore both narive warer and
imported warer. In 1900, rhe Colorado Canal
Company constructed Twin Lakes Reservoit on
Lake Creek (an enlargement of a narural reser-
voir), with a capaciey of 54,452 acre-feet. CF&I
Sted Company completed consrruction of
Sugarloaf Reservoir in 1902, with a capaciey of
17,416 acre feet. This reservoir allowed storage of
native water from the Lake Fork Creek and stor-
age of water from other Arkansas River tributaries
by exchange. Finally, Otero Canal Company con-
structed Clear Creek Reservoir from 1902 ro
1907, with a capaciey of 11,386 acre-feet.
ConStruction of these reservoirs had the effect of
slightly reducing spring peak !lows by capruring
runoff, and had the dIect of increasing lare sum-
mer flows by releasing stored warer for irrigation
purposes.

C. Municipal Water Supply Systems

Starring in the 1950's, several of the agricultural
water supply systems were purchased in whole or
in part by municipalities who sought an assured
water supply for growing populations. In 1955,
Pueblo Board of Waterworks purchased Clear
Creek Reservoir from the Otero C""al Company.
In the early 1970's. ,he Twin Lakes transmoun-
rain diversion system and reservoir were pur-
chased bv Colorado Springs. Aurora, Pueblo. and
Pueblo West. The change of ownership means
that inStead of an exclusive pattern of spring sror-
age and summer rdease for agriculture use, these
reservoirs are now managed ro provide year-round
supplies for the municipalities. Since they are part
of complex municipal supply system. rdeases of
srared Water [0 me main stem may occur at any
time of the year. In addition, if part of the yidd
of these reservoirs is not needed for municipal
use:, water may be sold t:O orner cusrornel'5, which
resulrs in releases timed ro meet me customer's
need.

The Ciry of Colorado Springs has an extensive
Water supply which taps multiple watersheds, but
only a portion of this syStem has the capabiliey to
meCt main stem flows between the headwaters

and Pueblo. The South Pikes Peak System and the
Penrose-Rosemont System divert water out tribu-
taries which emer the Arkansas River between
Canon City and Pueblo. Water ftom the
HomeStake Project, which diverrs water from the
Eagle River system, and the Blue River Project.
which diverts water ftom Summit County, are
transported directly to Colorado Springs and do
not enrer the main stem of the Arkansas River.
Colorado Springs also obtains warer from rhe
Feyingpan-Arkansas Project (discussed in next sec-
tion). This warer is delivered ro Colorado springs
via the Orero Pipeline, which takes water directly
fromT win Lakes, and rransporrs it over Trout
Creek Pass ro the Ciry's distribution system.
Finally, Colorado Springs obtains water supplies
via the Foumain Valley Conduit, a pipdine svs-
tem which starrs at Pueblo Reservoir, and runs
northwatd rowatd Colotado Springs. If the ciry
chooses this delivery roure for water. rather than
the Otero pipeline from Twin Lakes, then the
main Stem may see additional flows as (he water is
delivered to Pueblo Reservoir for placemem in the
conduit.

The City of Colorado Springs and Aurora have
also purchased water rights from lower Arkansas
Valley farms, and have received permission from
the warer courr co transfer chose Wat~r righrs (0
municipal use. This permission means that the
water can be diverted at the Otero Pipeline. high
in the basin near Twin Lakes, rather than flowing
down the river to be
diverted in the lower valley. As of 1997, less rhan
15.000 aCte feet have been transferred in anyone
water year. but the total amount available for
ttansfet is approximately 23,400 acre-feet.

D, Fryingpan-Arkansas Project

Between 1962 and 1980, Reelamarion conStruct-
ed or enlarged four storage darns and reservoirs in
the basin, cteating a rotal storage capaciry of
almost 630.000 acte feet:
(1) Turquoise Lake five miles weSt of Leadville
with a capacity of 120.478 acre-feet
(2) Mounr Elbert Fotebay Dam and Reservoir at
the base of Mr. Elbett, with a capaciey of 11,143

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