2010-11-10_HYDROLOGY - M1977151 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Jared Dains, E.I. Page 3 of 7 November 2, 2010 River. The following parameters were used in the model: transmissivity (T) = 120,000 gallons per day per foot, specific yield (SY) = 0.2, and the distance from the surface of the exposed surface water areas to the Cache La Poudre River = 650 feet. The total lagged mining depletions during the SWSP period are 71.24 acre-feet. According to the Applicant, the distance from the surface of the exposed ground water area to the Cache La Poudre River was measured based on the down gradient extent of the exposed ground water surface (nearest point). For purposes of this SWSP, the method used to measure the distance to estimate the lagged depletions will be accepted, however any future SWSP must measure the distance from the exposed ground water surface area to the Cache La Poudre River based on the centroid of the exposed ground water surface. Replacements Two replacement sources are proposed to replace depletions from the Greeley Pit. A 61.7 acre- foot lease of augmentation water from the Graham Drainage Ditch Company will supply replacement water during the months of May 2010 through October 2010. A 16.4 acre-foot lease of augmentation water from the Platte River Power Authority will provide replacement water from November 2010 through March 2011. Both sources will deliver replacements above the Ogilvy Ditch, which is the first calling water right below the Greeley Pit point of depletion. The Applicant has obtained a lease from the Graham Drainage Ditch Company for 61.7 acre-feet of replacement water from the Graham Seepage & Drainage Canal water right (WDID 0301321). This water right was decreed in case no. W-7818 as developed water, not tributary to the South Platte River. The Court found that 2,800 acre-feet of water was developed by the construction, development, and operation of the Graham Seepage & Drainage Canal; however, historically, only 1,330 acre-feet were consumptively used, with 1,470 acre-feet discharged as waste water to the Cache La Poudre River and its tributaries. In the decree entered in case no. W-7818, the Court indicated that it considered the Supreme Court decisions in the cases of Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District et al. v. Shelton Farms and Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District v. Colorado-New Mexico Land Co., Inc. 187 Colo. 181, 529 P.2d 13212 (1974). Based on the above, this SWSP will only recognize 1,330 acre-feet per year of consumable water. The current lease for the Graham Seepage & Drainage Canal water will provide water for the period of May 2010 through October 2010 and a copy of the lease and its amendment are attached to this letter. Deliveries of replacement water will be measured at a flume located approximately 380 feet from the mouth of the Graham Seep Ditch (WDID 0302906). The mouth of the Graham Seep Ditch is located approximately •1030 feet from the north section line and 1350 feet from the east section line of said Section 36, adjacent to the estimated point of depletion from the Greeley Pit; therefore no transit losses were assessed. The lease amount is sufficient to cover all depletions during the May through October timeframe. An amended lease of 16.4 acre-feet of fully consumable water provided by the Platte River Power Authority ( PRPA) will be used to make replacements during the non-irrigation season of November 2010 through March 2011. PRPA has an "Agreement for the Reuse of Water for Energy Generation", dated August 10, 1978, with the City of Fort Collins ("Fort Collins") and Water Supply and Storage Company ("WSSC") that provides PRPA with the right to receive reusable water delivered by Fort Collins. PRPA, Fort Collins, and WSSC also obtained approval of a plan for augmentation including reuse of water in Division 1 Water Court Case no. W-9332-78. In case no. W-9332-78, the Court found that 4,200 acre-feet, or more per year, will be available from Fort Collins to the PRPA to be used primarily for cooling purposes in connection with its Rawhide Energy Facility. Pursuant to the decree in case no. W-9332-78, if PRPA does not require the water for its own purposes, PRPA, Fort Collins, or other water