UpperColo_BasinReport_20070101

• Title: Upper Colorado Rover Basin Information
• Description: General information regarding surface water projects and operations within the Upper Colorado River basin.
• Decision Support - Doc Type: Basin Report
• Date: 1/1/2007
• DSS Category: Surface Water
• DSS: Colorado River
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Contract/PO #: C153933, C154062
• Grant Type: Non-Reimbursable
• Bill Number: SB92-87, HB93-1273, SB94-029, HB95-1155, SB96-153, HB97-008
• Prepared By: Leonard Rice Engineering

Table of Contents
1. The Upper Colorado River Basin ............................................................................................. l-1
1.1. Physical Geography ................................................................................................ .............. 1-1
1.2. Human and Economic Factors ................................................................................ .............. 1-1
1.3. Water Resources Development ............................................................................... .............. 1-5
1.4. Water Rights Administration and Operations ......................................................... .............. 1-6
2. Upper Colorado River Projects and Special Operations ......................................... .............. 2-1
2.1 Colorado-Big Thompson Project ............................................................................. .............. 2-1
2.1.1 Description of Physical Facilities ............................................................. .............. 2-3
2.1.2 Historical Operation of Green Mountain Reservoir .................................. .............. 2-6
2.1.3 Windy Gap Project ................................................................................... ............ 2-11
2.2 Denver Water .......................................................................................................... ............ 2-12
2.2.1 Williams Fork Diversion Project ............................................................. ............ 2-12
2.2.2 Williams Fork Reservoir .......................................................................... ............ 2-13
2.2.3 Fraser River Diversion Project ................................................................. ............ 2-15
2.2.5 Englewood Cabin -Meadow Creek Project (Meadow Creek Res.) ........ ............ 2-17
2.2.6 Denver Water -Dillon Reservoir/Roberts Tunnel System ...................... ............ 2-19
2.3 Fryingpan -Arkansas Project ................................................................................. ............ 2-26
2.3.1 Description of Physical Facilities ............................................................ ............ 2-27
2.3.2 Water Rights ............................................................................................ ............ 2-29
2.3.3 Twin Lakes Exchange .............................................................................. ............ 2-30
2.3.4 Contract Sales from Ruedi Reservoir ...................................................... ............ 2-31
2.3.5 Busk-Ivanhoe Facility Sharing Agreement .............................................. ............ 2-32
2.4 Grand Valley Area Water Demand (Cameo Call) .................................................. ............ 2-35
2.4.1 Grand Valley Irrigation Company ........................................................... ............ 2-35
2.4.2 Grand Valley Project ................................................................................ ............ 2-35
2.4.3 Orchard Mesa Check ................................................................................ ............ 2-37
2.4.4 Administration of Cameo Call ................................................................. ............ 2-37
2.4.5 Orchard Mesa Check Case (91CW247) ................................................... ............ 2-39
2.4.6 15-Mile Reach Flows ............................................................................... ............ 2-40
2.5 Homestake Diversion Project ................................................................................. ............ 2-42
2.5.1 Description of Physical Facilities ............................................................ ............ 2-43
2.5.2 Water Rights ............................................................................................ ............ 2-44
2.5.3 Bypass Requirements ............................................................................... ............ 2-44
2.6 Major Industrial Water Users .................................................................................. ............ 2-45
2.6.1 Shoshone Power Plant (WDID 530584) .................................................. ............ 2-45
2.6.3 Climax Mine and Mill (WDID 360841) .................................................. ............ 2-46
2.6.4 Henderson Mine and Mill (WDID 511070) ............................................. ............ 2-47
2.6.5 Redlands Power Canal ............................................................................. ............ 2-49
2.7 Independence Pass Transmountain Diversion System ........................................... ............ 2-50
2.7.1 Description of Physical Facilities ............................................................ ............ 2-50
2.7.2 Water Rights ............................................................................................ ............ 2-51
2.7.3 Exchange with Fryingpan-Arkansas Project ............................................ ............ 2-52
2.8 Municipal Diversions .............................................................................................. ............ 2-53
2.8.1 The Town of Breckenridge ...................................................................... ............ 2-54
Upper Colorado River Basin Information i