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. 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.
Current Water Projects
Below is an explanation of the process for initiating water developments, and some of the pending water projects across the state.
For more information sign up for our Water Action Network contact Becky Long, Water Caucus Coordinator.
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.
Flaming Gorge Pipeline Projects
In July of 2011, the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) announced that it has terminated the DEIS for the Regional Watershed Supply Project (RWSP), a proposal from the Million Resource Conservation Group (MRCG). This group is a private entity from Colorado, and has proposed the construction of a 560-mile pipeline from Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Wyoming, to the Front Range of Colorado. The MRCG is now requesting a permit from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), that application is not yet available. Simultaneously, a group of municipal water suppliers have requested hundreds of thousands of state dollars to fund a “feasibility study” via a newly formed “task force”. This task force does not include anyone from Wyoming or Utah, nor does it take into account serious questions about water availability, or the financial feasibility of the project.
The full range of impacts from this type of project are not know, but we do know that pumping up to 250,000AF of water each year could have serious consequences on the Colorado River Endangered Species Recovery Program, sports fisheries below the reservoir, hydropower generation at Flaming Gorge, recreation both on the reservoir and below it on the Green River, and it would require an enormous amount of energy to pump the water. These concerns along with the staggering costs of building this type of project are why the Conservation community in Colorado strongly opposes using state funding for this study.
More information on the proposed study has been compiled by our partners at Western Resource Advocates, you can help today by signing the petition to stop state funding for the Flaming Gorge Pipeline!
Regional Watershed Supply Project Map
Windy Gap Firming Project
Windy Gap Firming Project Map
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This project could be “smart” by:
- Implementing an urban efficiency program to delay and reduce the “need” for the project.
- Ensuring that rare or sensitive species will not be compromised.
- Minimizing adverse environmental effects in all affected reaches of the Colorado and South Platte River Basins, such as de-watering stretches of river.
- 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 include 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.
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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.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is expected to submit a Final EIS for the Windy Gap Firming Project by late-2011 or early 2012 and issue a record of decision by the end of the year. If Reclamation approves the project, it will still require a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before construction could begin.
To learn more about the Windy Gap Firming Project and to read the Draft EIS, click here.
Our efforts to make the project "Smart"
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.
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".
The Moffat Tunnel Expansion Project is currently in its Final EIS phase of the NEPA review. The Corps will issue a permit decision in late 2012. To learn more about the Moffat Tunnel Expansion Project, click here.
