WSP10287 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

.;'j 'i( u GOIJ ::ll'7 " , ~ I MAJOR INDUSTRIAL WATER USERS The CROSS Water Rights Planning Model includes a number of structures that divert water for industrial purposes. The following documentation describes some of the more significant industrial water diversions in the Colorado River basin. Shoshone Power Plant (WOlD 530584) - The Shoshone Power Plant (aka the Glenwood Power Canal) is a hydroelectric generation plant owned and operated by Public Service Company of Colorado, Water is diverted from the Colorado River in Glenwood Canyon at a point located about eight miles upstream of Glenwood Springs and eight miles downstream of the Dotsero gaging station (USGS Gage No. 09070500), Water rights exercised at the power plant include the following: AMOUNT APPROPRIATION ADJUDICATION ADMINISTRATION (cf.' DATE DATE NUMBER 1.250 1.07.1902 12.09.1907 20427,18999 158 5.15.1929 02.07.1956 33023,28989 Water is diverted at Shoshone on a year-round basis, although the plant is often closed during January for maintenance. There is no consumptive use associated with the oper8tion of the power plant and all diverted water is returned back to the river at a point located about three miles downstream of the diversion dam. There are no other water rights in the intervening reach of the river. During times when the streamflow at the Dotsero gage is less than 1,408 cfs. the power plant diverts generally all of the river flow, leaving only a small amount of diversion dam leakage in the river throughout the three mile reach. At times when the flow is less than 1.250 or 1,408 cfs. the call by the Shoshone Power Plant is strictly enforced by the Division Engineer. The senior right for 1.250 cfs is senior in comparison with the majority of the larger upstream water rights. so the Shoshone Power Plant is generally the controlling call on the river during the late summer. winter and early spring, During unusually dry years. the Shoshone call can be enforced throughout the period of late June through mid-April of the following year. During unusually wet years. the call does not go into effect until November or December. Prior to 1985. the flow required to satisfy the demand at the Shoshone Power Plant specifically governed the operations of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project pursuant to the provisions of Senate Document 80, in particular the operations of Green Mountain Reservoir (see separate discussion). The Shoshone demand also limited transmountain diversions by Denver and Colorado Springs. Subsequent to 1985. the Shoshone Call is still a major factor in administration of the Colorado River but no longer is the sole factor influencing the operation of Green Mountain Reservoir. 1-1 ~-~- 'Jb