S11_11-15-04

• Basin: Statewide
• Title: SWSI Phase 1 Report - Section 11 Implementation
• Date: 11/15/2004
• Author: CWCB
• SWSI - Doc Type: Final Report

Section 11
Implementation
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Statewide Water Supply Initiafive
11.1 Introduction
This section outlines CWCB's implementation plan for
SWSI. In particular, it reflects on the findings of SWSI
and how we as a state can use SWSI to help meet
Colorado's future water needs, including a discussion of:
^ Major findings of SWSI on both a statewide and a
basin-specific level
^ Key recommendations
^ Implementation issues
^ The path forward for meeting our future water needs
^ The implementation process, and specific CWCB
tasks toward implementation
^ Next phases of SWSI
The reader is encouraged to reflect on the information
and provide feedback to the Board as we evaluate how
to best meet our current and 2030 water needs.
11.2 Major Findings of SWSI
11.2.1 Major Statewide Findings
SWSI explored all aspects of Colorado's water use and
development on both a statewide and an individual basin
basis. SWSI focused on in-basin issues first. Analysis of
supply and demand at the statewide level will be
conducted in greater detail in 2005. Major findings
identified during this first phase of work are based on
technical analyses and feedback gathered through Basin
Roundtable input.
Even though some of these findings are readily apparent
to some, it was important that they be affirmed as part of
building a foundation and common understanding. Other
findings were determined and/or clarified through the
SWSI process. These findings are summarized below
and are discussed in the Executive Summary.
Significant increases in Colorado's population -
together with agricultural water needs and an
increased focus on recreational and
environmental uses - will intensify competition
for water.
Projects and water management planning
processes that local M&I providers are
implementing or planning to implement have the
ability to meet about 80 percent of Colorado's
M&I water needs through 2030, under the most
optimistic scenario.
To the extent that these identified M&I projects
and processes are not successfully
implemented, Colorado will see a significantly
greater reduction in irrigated agricultural lands
as M&I water providers seek additional
permanent transfers of agricultural water rights
to provide for the demands that would otherwise
have been met by specific projects and
processes.
Supplies are not necessarily where demands
are; localized shortages exist, especially in
headwater areas, and compact entitlements in
some basins are not fully utilized.
5. Increased reliance on nonrenewable, non-
tributary groundwater for permanent water
supply brings serious reliability and
sustainability concerns in some areas,
particularly along the Front Range.
In-basin solutions can help resolve the
remaining 20 percent gap between M&I supply
and demand, but there will be tradeoffs and
impacts on other uses - especially agriculture
and the environment.
7. lNater conservation f beyond Level 1) will be
relied upon as a major tool for meeting future
M&I demands, but conseroation alone cannot
meet all of Colorado's future M&I needs.
Significantwater conservation has already
occurred in many areas.
8. Environmental and recreational uses of water
are expected to increase with population growth.
These uses help support Colorado's tourism
industry, provide recreational and environmental
benefits for our citizens, and are an important
industry in many parts of the state. Without a
mechanism to fund environmental and
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