PIM.Meeker12-2 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

a DEP.....RTM[1'.'T 01' Nl\TLJR.l\L IlESOURCES ~=9NS Statewide Water Supply J nitiotive Public Information Meeting Summary Yampa/White River Basin Meeker, Colorado 12.2.03 Number in Attendance: 25 signed in estimate 35 Representation: Municipal, agriculture, wildlife, energy Themes and Ideas: . Additional storaae is needed: The group acknowledged and supported the need for additional storage projects, particularly for the tributaries. . Proiect Fundina: Many projects have been identified in the White River. For example, the Yellow Jacket Water Conservancy District has filled on over 100,000 acre-feet of storage. The problem is that the project proponents (agriculture or small municipalities) cannot generate a revenue stream to service the debt on the development of the project without alternative funding options or creative partnerships with other potential project beneficiaries. . Growth and Water Availabilitv: The White River basin has not had extensive growth in relation to other faster growing areas such as the Colorado River mainstem. Concern was raised that water might not be available under the Colorado River Compact if other parts of the Colorado Basin develop before the White River Basin. It was suggested that perhaps an apportionment of water within the Colorado River Basin would help ensure that water is available to the White and Yampa River basins in the future. Concern was also expressed regarding the numerous and large conditional water rights which might futher exacerbate this issue. . Explore options for increasina water in basin tributaries: The main stem of the Yampa and White Rivers are not the issue - the tributaries are where the shortage of water is the biggest problem. Municipalities along the main stem fared much better than smaller towns along low-level tributaries during the drought in terms of reliable water supply. Citizens would like to explore ways to increase water in tributaries. Public Suggestions: ~ There were several comments indicating that the Wolf Creek Reservoir site, located approximately half way between Meeker and Rangely, be reevaluated and built. ~ When SWSI looks at water demands it is important to make sure that you look at the location of the available supply to serve that demand (i.e., there is significant supply on the Yampa near the state line but many of the demand may be on more water short tributaries). Rick Brown, SWSI Public Information Meeting Summary, 12.2.03 Page 1