Currently, there are several proposed water projects in Colorado, and the conservation community is monitoring their progress to ensure that any projects approved will be as environmentally friendly as possible. Below is an explanation of the process for initiating water developments, and some of the pending water projects across the state.

Process
When a water provider seeks to build a new water project, there are several steps that must be taken to ensure compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). "Scoping" is the first step in the NEPA process and is designed to identify what topics the responsible agencies must consider when drafting the environmental review documents. These topics may include mitigation of environmental impacts, reduction in flows to downstream users and many others.

The next step is the release of an environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS) for the project. This is the stage at which the public can comment on the proposed projects. This is followed by the issuance of the necessary federal permits or licenses from the Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation if the project is approved. When the agencies release their draft environmental analyses, there is opportunity for the public to give input on these projects, both in terms of submitting written comments and often attending and speaking at public hearings as well.

The following list of water projects have been proposed in Colorado, and are in various stages of the permitting and NEPA approval process. According to the conservation community, several of these projects have the potential to become "Smart Storage" depending on the specific manner in which they are designed, implemented, and operated. “Smart Storage” refers to a new way of water supply planning, one that differs from the old model of water projects that rely primarily on large storage facilities such as reservoirs and often piping water from one water basin to another. "Smart Storage" projects utilize a range of techniques and tools to supply water, while working to mitigate environmental impacts and the impacts on the basin that produces the water.

Regional Watershed Supply Project
In March 2009, the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) announced that they will be opening the Public Scoping phase of the Regional Watershed Supply Project (RWSP). This project, proposed by the Million Conservation Resource Group (a private entity from Colorado), is a large-scale water supply project to deliver water from the Green River in Wyoming to the Front Range of Colorado. This project would pump 250,000 AF of water from two diversion points in Wyoming more than 400 Miles across Wyoming and Colorado. All but 25,000 AF of water would be delivered to the Front Range of Colorado (25,000 AF is proposed to go to Wyoming). A series of public meetings will be held in Wyoming, Utah and Colorado starting in mid-April.

The full impacts of the project are not yet known, but the volume of water diverted would be substantial enough to alter flows not only in the Green River, but throughout the Colorado River system. The project will also impact the operations of Flaming Gorge Reservoir, recreational activities in the Colorado and its tributaries, and impact the Upper Colorado Endangered Species Recovery Program. Most if not all of these impacts will be felt in regions that are unlikely to see direct benefits from the project.

For more information sign up for our Water Action Netowrk, visit the Corps web page, or contact Becky Long, Water Caucus Coordinator.

Windy Gap Firming Project
The Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District would like to get more water from its Windy Gap project. The dam currently in place -- just outside of Granby -- was intended to deliver 48,000 acre feet every year (an acre foot of water can supply at least two urban households for a year) from the Upper Colorado River to the northern Front Range, but is currently falling significantly short of this goal. To get full value for its Windy Gap water, the district plans to build an additional 110,000-acre feet of storage on the Front Range. The Windy Gap Firming Project Alternative Plan Formulation Report identifies several ways to accomplish the goals of the project. The report examined a range of options, including new and/or expanded water storage facilities located on both sides of the Continental Divide, re-operation of existing facilities, and water conservation to satisfy the needs of the project participants.

The Windy Gap Firming Project would require diverting additional water –- which would otherwise provide vital flows to the Upper Colorado River -- from the Fraser River on the Western Slope of Colorado to the Front Range. These seasonal flows are essential to the health of a river system and the surrounding riparian areas, as they serve to flush sedimentation, restore aquatic habitat and flood riparian areas. 

Our efforts to make the project "Smart"

In August of 2008, the Bureau of Reclamation released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed project. Decades of diversions by similar projects have taken their toll on the upper Colorado River.  Existing water diversions have resulted in algae blooms, higher water temperatures, and lower stream flows. Additional diversions will increase these impacts, reduce tourism, and decrease quality of life.  

We have proposed that this project could be made "Smart", that is if the proponent cities show they maximize efficient use of water and agree to keep Colorado’s streams healthy.  Unfortunately, as currently proposed, the Windy Gap Firming Project falls short.  Please join us in asking the Bureau of Reclamation to protect our streams and ensure conservation and efficient use of the water on the Front Range!

To get involved, contact Becky.

This project could be “smart” by: Implementing a stronger urban efficiency program in Denver to delay and reduce the “need” for the project.  Ensuring that rare or sensitive species will not be compromised.  Minimizing adverse environmental effects, including flow regimes, in all affected reaches of the Colorado and South Platte River Basins.  Avoiding or counteracting adverse effects to Colorado River Basin recreational interests such as.  Integrating Windy Gap and Colorado Big Thompson project operations that could firm Windy Gap rights with fewer adverse effects. Implementing an alternative consisting of smaller storage elements instead of large reservoirs options that would not included structural components that often restrict flows, conservation and project phasing to meet a revised integration of Northern’s and Denver’s systems so as to minimize diversions from the Upper Colorado River Basin now and in the future.

Moffat Tunnel Expansion Project
This project would increase the amount of water that Denver can take through its northern collection system on the West Slope, in the Fraser and William Fork River drainages. There would likely be additional Front Range storage required, either through an expansion of Gross Reservoir on South Boulder Creek, or a new reservoir at Leyden Gulch in the Coal Creek drainage. Denver could potentially pump water from its reuse treatment facility back into the new reservoir, as well. Depending on which of several proposed designs is chosen, this project could involve up to 130,000 additional acre feet of storage and satisfy much of Denver's 20,000-50,000-acre foot demand for new water supplies.

The project would take water from the upper Colorado that is vital for the health of our rivers – this water currently is used to provide peak seasonal flows which remove sediment and flood riparian areas and provide additional flows that enhance whitewater recreation. In order to protect these important environmental and recreation values, Denver should work to make the project “Smart”.

This project could be “smart” by: Addressing impacts on Fountain Creek water quality and stream channel. Maintaining stream flows below Pueblo Reservoir. Addressing other impacts on downstream users.

Southern Delivery System
This Colorado Springs project would pipe up to 87,000 acre feet of water from Pueblo Reservoir across to the Fountain Creek drainage. In the second phase of the project Colorado Springs would build two reservoirs, one to capture the water at the end of the pipeline before it goes to treatment, and the other to capture return flows in Fountain Creek, which adjust high flows that are leading to erosion and high sediment levels there.

The project could have severe impacts on the water quality in Fountain Creek and on the condition of the stream channel. If the participants do not work to maintain the water quality and the stream flows below Pueblo reservoir, serious environmental impacts could be magnified. It is also vital that they work to address the impacts that may affect downstream users.

Unlike many other projects, there are not current plans to make NISP a "smart" project. Many groups and citizens in the Ft. Collins area are working to provide more information on the impacts of the project and on better alternatives that the region could consider as a way to supply water for the future.  For more information, visit www.savethepoudre.org.

Northern Integrated Supply Projecct (NISP)
The Cache La Poudre River runs north from Ft. Collins through the city and east to the plains. Only a small portion of the river's water is unallocated. It runs freely and manages to peak every three of four years. These periodic, minor peaking flows are essential for maintaining ecosystem health and improving water quality because they clear away sediment, creating habitat for fish, and because they flood riparian areas, replenishing habitat for a variety of species.

Three large dams have been proposed to impound the last remaining unallocated water in the river. The most potentially damaging of these is the proposed Glade Reservoir, part of the Northern Integrated Supply Project, or NISP. The draft EIS is anticipated for release in early 2007.

Northern Colorado communities, industry, and agriculture may be able to meet a majority of their needs for water, growth, and drought protection by conserving existing water resources and utilizing them at maximum efficiency, reducing demand, and by looking for innovative partnerships to meet the remaining gaps in supply.

While this project is well on its way to being a "Smart Project", Aurora should continue to work to ensure that all water from the project is of the highest quality. Also, while the Prairie Waters Project embodies "smart" principles, the city should investigate implementing these principles in its other existing and future water projects.  Read more here.

Aurora Prairie Waters
The City of Aurora is currently in the planning stages of a project known as Prairie Waters, which the city feels will provide a reliable supply of high quality water at a low price. The project will reuse water that the city currently owns by drawing it from the South Platte River and delivering it to nearby natural purification basins. After filtering through sand and gravel into the groundwater and completing a natural cleansing process, the water will be piped 38 miles south to the Aurora Reservoir, where it will then be treated at a new facility and then delivered to homes and businesses in Aurora. The city projects that they will be able to provide enough additional water to meet the city’s demands into the 2020s.