Laserfiche WebLink
Colorado Springs Utilities Pilot Project Proposal <br />November 16, 2018 <br />Page 6 <br /> <br />Applicants recognize that the exchange potential on the Arkansas River does pose a <br />hydrological challenge to operation of the CS-U Pilot Project under certain conditions. Although the <br />Super Ditch and Lower Ark are close to obtaining an exchange decree for the Super Ditch (Case No. <br />10CW4, Div. 2), this proposal has been thoughtfully designed to include various mechanisms to allow <br />for operation in times of limited exchange potential such as the use of stepped exchanges to <br />intermediate storage locations, use of recharge facilities, and trades of water. Also, because the Catlin <br />Canal augmentation stations (located on Timpas Creek and Crooked Arroyo) and the point of delivery <br />of recharge to the Arkansas River from the Schweizer and Hanagan recharge ponds are located <br />downstream of several of the locations of historical return flows, this proposal includes possible <br />additional recharge locations, retiming of recharge, and use of upstream storage in order to ensure the <br />ability of the pilot project to maintain return flows in time, location and amount to prevent injury to <br />other water rights. <br />G. Necessary Structures & Ownership <br />Structures that may be necessary and/or desirable in the operation of the CS-U Pilot Project and <br />their ownership are shown in the attached Table 3. <br />As discussed above, water made available through the CS-U Pilot Project’s fallowing of the <br />historically irrigated lands will be run through and measured at augmentation stations. The portion of <br />the shares historically lost to ditch seepage will be diverted at the respective canal headgate and left in <br />the ditch. Water may be delivered via Catlin Canal laterals to the Schweizer and Hanagan recharge <br />ponds and other ponds that may be constructed as needed. Rocky Ford High Line Canal will deliver <br />water to the augmentation station where it will be measured back to the river. Fort Lyon Canal will <br />deliver water to the river as approved by its board and/or shareholders. Water will also be exchanged <br />into and/or traded for water stored in Pueblo Reservoir. Additional structures may be used in operation <br />of the CS-U Pilot Project to provide for intermediate storage locations along the Arkansas River and <br />additional recharge facilities. CS-U will take delivery of leased water at Pueblo Reservoir and will be <br />responsible for transporting that water to its water systems for example, via the 05CW96 Exchange. <br />It is not currently anticipated that any other structures or facilities are necessary for operation of <br />the CS-U Pilot Project. However, it is possible that additional structures either currently existing or that <br />may be constructed during the term of the CS-U Pilot Project may be used to maximize the operational <br />flexibility and efficiency of the project. <br />III. Eligibility Requirements (Criteria and Guidelines § II.C) <br />The proposed CS-U Pilot Project meets the eligibility requirements of C.R.S. § 37-60-115(8) <br />(a) through (c) and Section II.C of the Criteria and Guidelines. As the second fallowing-leasing pilot <br />project to be considered for selection, the CS-U Pilot Project has been carefully designed to build on <br />the Catlin Pilot Project and demonstrate the efficacy of a larger fallowing-leasing pilot project of <br />fallowing irrigated land for leasing water for temporary municipal use, while incorporating operational <br />components that will provide useful information on the viability of fallowing-leasing. See Resolution <br />of the Board of Directors of the Lower Arkansas Valley Super Ditch Company, Inc., dated November, <br />13, 2018 attached as Exhibit H (“Super Ditch Resolution”). The CS-U Pilot Project will demonstrate