UPPER GUNNISON-UNCOMPAHGRE BASIN STUDY

PUBLIC MEETING PRESENTATION

DECEMBER 14, 1988

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H D R STUDY OBJECTIVES

1. TO IDENTIFY IN-BASIN OPPORTUNITIES FOR STREAMFLOW ENHANCEMENT SUCH AS LOW FLOW OR LATE SEASON FLOW AUGMENTATION TO IMPROVE EXISTING FISHERIES; 2. TO EXAMINE THE PHYSICAL AND LEGAL AVAILABILITY OF WATER IN THE BASIN AS WELL AS FUTURE IN-BASIN WATER DEMANDS (INCLUDING WATER FOR STREAMFLOW ENHANCEMENT). 3. TO EXAMINE POTENTIAL WATER AND HYDROPOWER COMPONENTS IN THE GUNNISON AND UNCOMPAHGRE BASINS:

4. TO DETERMINE ANNUAL WATER YIELD, COST AND TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY OF BOTH STRUCTURAL AND NON-STRUCTURAL ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT:

5. TO MAKE A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY OF WATER DEVELOPMENT ALTERNATIVES:

6. EXAMINE THE TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY OF USING HYDROPOWER AND POTENTIAL OUT-OF-BASIN SALE OF WATER (THAT IS IN EXCESS OF IN-BASIN DEMANDS) TO FUND IN-BASIN WATER DEVELOPMENT COMPONENTS OF THE PROJECT: AND

7. SELECT ALTERNATIVE WATER DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR PHASE II INVESTIGATION. UPPER GUNNISON-UNCOMPAHGRE BASIN STUDY

APPROACH TO PRESENTATION OF RESULTS

The alternative plans formulated to meet projected future demands within the study area will be presented in ranked format; that is, they will be listed in order from the most attractive to the least attractive based on the results of plan evaluation. An economic analysis will be prepared fcr the recommended plan and possibly for the next most attractive. The results will be presented in a manner that will indicate the excess or shortfall of revenue to cover expenses associated with development of the pian{s). The results of an economic evaluation fcr each potential financing mechanism will be presented in a manner that will indicate whether they have the potential to generate revenue in excess of their implementation costs. A discussion of project implementation will be presented which will include: benefits of the recommended plan; economic feasibility of the plan; environmental impacts, both positive and negative, of implementation; and finally, the economic and environmental impacts of adding one or more financing mechanisms to the recommended plan. TARGET OBJECTIVES

• SATISFY PROJECTED FUTURE MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL WATER DEMANDS WITHIN THE STUDY AREA.

• PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES THAT WILL RESULT IN INCREASED ECONOMIC BENEFITS TO THE STUDY AREA.

. ASSURE THAT AN ADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY WILL BE AVAIUBLE TO SUPPORT THE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES PROPOSED IN THE STUDY AREA.

• SATISFY PROJECTED FUTURE AGRICULTURAL WATER DEMANDS IN THE STUDY AREA.

♦ PRESERVE THE CRITICAL ASPECTS OF THE STUDY AREA ENVIRONMENT, SUCH AS WATER QUALITY, TO THE MAXIMUM PRACTICABLE DEGREE CONSISTENT WITH THE OTHER TARGET OBJECTIVES.

• PROVIDE MECHANISMS, IF NEEDED, TO ENHANCE THE FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY OF THE PREFERRED BASIN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN. WATER SHORTAGES AND DEFICIENCIES

♦ MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY:

NONE IDENTIFIED

» AGRICULTURAL SUPPLY:

NUMBER OF MAXIMUM AVERAGE YEARS W/ ANNUAL ANNUAL SUB-BASIN SHORTAGE SHORTAGE SHORTAGE (af) (af)

COCHETOPA CREEK 721 469 OHIO CREEK 1,831 793 TOMICHI CREEK 3,145 1,413 COW CREEK 756 394 HAPPY CANYON CREEK 143 89 HORSEFLY CREEK 118 53 UPPER SPRING CREEK 167 72 BLUE RIVER 920 243

♦ STREAMFLOW: SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCIES ON OHIO, TOMICHI AND COCHETOPA CREEKS. MINOR DEFICIENCIES ON MANY OTHER STREAMS. Summary of Screening Results Water Hanagement and Conservation Measures

Component Remarks

Pheatophyte Control Eliminated Adverse Environmental impact and high cost.

Ditch Lining Eliminated High cost relative to benefit.

On-farm Efficiency Improvements Eliminated High cost relative to benefit.

Reservoir Evaporation Suppression Eliminated Technically and financially not feasible.

M&I Water Conservation Eliminated Potential savings minor on basinwide basis.

Water Rights Purchase, Exchange Retained Potential benefit for and Transfer instream flows and

transmountain

diversions.

Drought Insurance Retained Potential benefit for instream flows and

transmountain

diversions.

Conjunction Use of Ground Eliminated Technically not and Surface Water Supplies feasible. Recreation Components Recommended For Inclusion In Alternative Flans

W.fr Body

Gunnison Rivar - Alnont Trophy-siza, wild Hanaga instraaa flows, improva to Blu« Masa Raaarvoir rainbow trout straan access on public sections and fishery improve irrigation diversions

Taylor River Trophy-siza, wild Manage instreaa flows, institute rainbow trout stream special regulations and provide fishery public access to 1/4 mile reach below the dam.

Blue Mesa Reservoir Study potential for Research the desirability of introduction of large- introducing Xamloops trout on a size trout species trial basis and implement if results warrant.

Uncompahgre River below Develop trout fishery Monitor conditions and implement Ridgvay Reservoir appropriate plan when conditions warrant.

water Body

East River Provide public access Arrange for public access to 3 miles of present private property through short term leases.

Tomichi Creeic (Marshall Provide public access Arrange for public access to 8 Creek to ) miles of present private property through short term leases

Quartz Creek Provide public access Arrange for public access to 3 miles of presently private property through short term leases.

Water Body Component Proposed Aotion

Taylor River Improve put-in and Provide 2 raft and boat access take-out points points.

Taylor River Improve low flow rafting Modify selected reaches of potential streambed and manage Taylor Reservoir releases to improve rafting.

Gunnison River - Almont Improve put-in and Provide 3 raft and boat access to Blue Mesa Reservoir take-out points points.

WaterbodT

Gunnison River - Almont to Provide campgrounds Develop 25 campsites Blue Mesa Reservoir

East River Provide campgrounds and Develop 10 campsites and 18 miles trails of trail between Almont and Crested Butte.

Taylor River Provide campgrounds Develop 25 campsites.

Taylor Park Reservoir Provide campgrounds Develop 30 RV campsites.

Develop 4 miles of streamside Tomichi Creek Provide trail trail through City of Gunnison, 3-acre park and 20 picnic sites.

Cochatopa Creek within Improva existing Improve 32 existing primitive Cochatopa Canyon campgrounds campsites.

Uncompahgre River Provide trails Develop 17 mile trail from Montrose to Ridgway Reservoir.

Alternative Storage Sitea Retained For Further Study

MAP ID NAME OF STREAM NUMBER PROPOSED RESERVOIR NAME

COCHETOPA CREEK SUBBASIN

77 Lower Los Pinos Los Pinos Creek 126 Pauline Pauline Creek

OHIO CREEK SUBBASIN

120 Castleton Castle Creek

TOMICHI CREEK SUBBASIN

Sargents #1 Tomichi Creek Sargents #2 Tomichi Creek Sargents #4 Tomichi Creek Sargents #3 Tomichi Creek Elko Tomichi Creek OFFW OUNHWON-UNCOWWOee (TUDY STORAGE SITES RETAINED FOR FURTHER STUDY

■ATI: Nov. 1988 DEFINITION OF ALTERNATIVE PLANS

♦ ALTERNATIVE NO. 1 ~ NON-STRUCTURAL PLAN COMPOSED EXCLUSIVELY OF SEVENTEEN RECREATION COMPONENTS.

♦ ALTERNATIVE NO. 2 - STRUCTURAL PLAN COMPOSED EXCLUSIVELY OF MULTIPURPOSE STORAGE RESERVOIRS; ONE EACH IN UPPER TOMICHI, COCHETOPA AND OHIO CREEK BASINS.

♦ ALTERNATIVE NO. 3 - COMBINATION OF ALTERNATIVES 1 AND 2.

♦ ALTERNATIVE NO. 4 - COMBINATION OF ALTERNATIVE NO. 2 AND TEN SELECTED RECREATION COMPONENTS.

♦ ALTERNATIVE NO. 5 - UPPER TOMICHI AND UPPER OHIO CREEK RESERVOIRS WITH TEN SELECTED RECREATION COMPONENTS.

♦ ALTERNATIVE NO. 6 - UPPER TOMICHI RESERVOIR WITH TEN SELECTED RECREATION COMPONENTS. Dtflnltlon of AUornitlvo No. I.

Coapontnt

0 Hinago Instraaa f1oMS, Improvt acctss on public sactions and improvt Irrigation divtrslons on Gunnlson Rivar to davalop a trophy-slza. wild rainbow trout fishary.

0 Manago instraaa flows, instltuta spaclal ragulatlons and provlda public accass on 1/4 mila of straaa balow Taylor Park Oaa to davalop a trophy-slza, wild rainbow trout fishary In tha Uppar Taylor Rivar.

0 Study tha potential for introducing large size trout In Blue Mesa Reservoir.

0 Monitor conditions in tha Uncompahgra Rivar balow Ridgway Oam to assess potential of developing a trout fishery.

0 Provide public access to 3 miles of private property on tha East River (short-term leases).

0 Provide public access to 8 miles of private property on Tomichl Creek between Marshall Creek and the Gunnison River (short term leases).

0 Provide public access to 3 miles of private property on Quartz Creek, (short term leases).

0 Provlda two raft and boat access points on the Taylor Rivar.

0 Modify selected stream reaches and manage Taylor Reservoir releases to improve Taylor River rafting during low flow periods.

0 Provide three raft and boat accass points on tha Gunnison River.

0 Develop 25 campsites on tha Gunnison River below Almont.

0 Develop 10 campsites and 13 miles of streamsida trail on tha East River between Almont and Crested Butta.

0 Davalop 25 campsites on tha Taylor Rivar.

0 Develop 30 RV campsites at Taylor Park.

0 Develop 4 miles of streamside trail along Tomichl Creek through the City of Gunnison including a 3-acre park and 20 picnic sites.

0 Improve 32 existing primitive campsites along Cochetopa Creek within Cochetopa Canyon.

0 Develop 17 miles of Uncompahgre River trail from Montrosa to Ridgway Reservoir. Definition of Alternative No. 2

This alternative consists of three multi-purpose water storage reservoirs to serve irrigation demands, provide instreara flow enhancement, provide flatwater recreation, and to provide some measure of flood control. These reservoirs are as follows:

Ohio Creek Basin Reservoir. A 20,000 af capacity facility in the Ohio Creek Basin. The Castleton project is used as being a representative site.

Ccchetooa Basin Reservoir A 10,000 af capacity reservoir located in the Upper Cochetopa Basin. The Pauline project is used as being a representative site.

Tomichi Basin Reservoir A 25,000 af capacity reservoir located in the Upper Tomichi Basin. The Sargents No. 3 project is used as being a representative

site. Definition of Alternative No. 4

This alternative consists of the Ohio Creek Basin Storage Reservoir, the Cochetopa Basin Reservoir, and the Tomichi Basin Reservoir and the following recreation components:

Manage instream flows, improve access on public sections and improve irrigation diversions on Gunnison River to develop a trophy-size, wild rainbow trout fishery. Manage instream flows, institute special regulations and provide public access on 1/4 mile of stream below to develop a trophy-size, wild rainbow trout fishery in the Upper Taylor River. Study the potential for introducing large size trout in Blue Mesa Reservoir, Provide public access to 3 miles of private property on the East River (short-term leases). Provide public access to 8 miles of private property on Tomichi Creek between Marshall creek and the Gunnison River (short-term leases). Modify selected stream reaches and manage Taylor Reservoir releases to improve Taylor River rafting during low flow periods. Provide three raft and boat access points on the Gunnison River. Develop 25 campsites on the Taylor River. Improve 32 existing primitive campsites along Cochetopa Creek within Cochetopa Canyon. Develop 17 miles of Uncompahgre River trail from Montrose to Ridgway Reservoir. Definition of Alternative No. 5

This alternative consists of Ohio Creek and Tomlchi Basin Storage Reservoirs plus the recreation components Identified In Alternative No. 4.

Definition of Alternative No. 6

This alternative consists of the Tomichi Basin Reservoir plus the recreation components identified in Alternative No. 4 PRELIMINARY RANKING OF ALTERNATIVE PLANS

ALT. TECHNICAL ENVIRONMENTAL INSTITUTIONAL/ OVERALL PLAN RANK RANK SOCIAL RANK RANK

HIGH MOD. IGH

HIGH MOD. IGH

LOW HIGH IGH

MOD. MOD. OD.

MOD. MOD. OD.

LOW MOD. OD. Preliminary Cost Estimate - Alternative No. 5

INVESTMENT COST :

Total Construction Cost of Recreation Components $2,580,000

Total Construction Cost of Ohio Creek Reservoir $20,900,000

Total Construction Cost of Tomichi Creek Reservoir $25,936,000

Total Plan Construction Cost $49,416,000

Interest During Construction (8% over three years) $6,157,000

Total Plan Capital Cost $55,573,000

Debt Service Reserve Fund (1 year debt service) $5,507,000

Financing Expences (1 1/2% of capital cost plus debt $916,000 service reserve)

Total Investment Cost $61,996,000

ANNUAL COST

Annual Debt Service (8% over 30 years) $5,507,000

Annual Lease and/or O&M Cost $179,000

Total Annual Cost $5,686,000 Preliminary Cost Estimate - Alternative No. 6

INVESTMENT COST :

Total Construction Cost of Recreation Components $2,580,000

Total Construction Cost of Tomichi Creek Reservoir $25,936,000

Total Plan Construction Cost $28,516,000

Interest During Construction (8% over three years) $3,553,000

Total Plan Capital Cost $32,069,000

Debt Service Reserve Fund (1 year debt service) $3,178,000

Financing Expences (1 1/2% of capital cost plus debt $529,000 service reserve)

Total Investment Cost $35,776,000

ANNUAL COST :

Annual Debt Service (8% over 30 years) $3,178,000

Annual Lease and/or O&M Cost $116,000

Total Annual Cost $3,294,000 Preliminary Cost Estimate - Alternative No. 1

INVESTMENT COST :

1) Total Plan Construction Cost

Interest During Construction (8% over six months)

Total Plan Capital Cost

Debt Service Reserve Fund (1 year debt service)

Financing Expences (3% of capital cost plus debt service reserve)

Total Investment Cost

ANNUAL COST :

Annual Debt Service (8% over 20 years)

Annual Lease and/or O&M Cost

Total Annual Cost

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PUMPED -STORAGE SCREENING

TOTAL ATTRACTIVE

INSTALLED INVESTMENT UNIT RANGE OF

CAPACITY COST COST UNIT COST PROJECT (MW) ($x10®) ($/KW) ($/KW)

♦ NEEDLE PT. NO. 3 720 644 895 1,000-1,200

♦ ROCKY PT. NO. 2 1,000 1,025 1,025 1,000-1 ,200 -TAYLOR RIVER ANTERO RESERVOIR COLLEGIATE RANGE PROJECT WATER (Existing) CONDUCTOR , ly

PIEPLANT - RESERVOIR EAST RIVER- (Proposed)

BUENA TAYLOR PARK TAYLOR PARK PROJECT VISTA RESERVOIR WATER CONDUCTOR (Existing) <1 II I ARKANSAS RIVER

ALMONT RESERVOIR- UNION PARK UNION PARK PROJECT (PrapoBsd) RESERVOIR LOTTIS CREEK WATER CONDUCTOR (Proposed)

BLUE MESA / TAYLOR PARK GUNNISON RIVER- WATER CONDUCTOR (Taylor / Park Project Variation) GUNNISON CENTRAL SAL IDA \ PROJECT (Modified) Water Conductor

BLUE MESA TOMICHI CREEK- RESERVOIR (Existing) OUIIIiilOM-UMCOMPAM(MIE STtiOY alternative transbasin EXPORT PROJECTS

OATC: Nov. 190S FiauAf 8.1 UPPER TAYLOR RIVER BASIN YIELD ANALYSIS

ASSUUFTJONSi

* TAYLOFFA/ifC - ASSUMED MINIMUM ALLOWABLE RESERVOIR LEVEL OF 9,268 (23,400 AF). INSTREAM FLOW NEEDS CAN DRAW RESERVOIR BELOW THAT BUT EXPORTS CANNOT.

• Of\feRSfON/iA7E - EAST SLOPE DIVERSIONS ASSUMED TO BE MADE AT A CONSTANT, UNIFORM RATE.

SC0ilA/ifOSMES7JGA7ED^

♦ iVA7ER/¥QH73 1. UVWUA TAYLOR RES. STORAGE DECREE SUPPORTS TRANSMOUNTAIN DIVERSION AND REPLACEMENT WATER IS PURCHASED FROM BLUE MESA RES. AS REQUIRED. 2. NEW JUNIOR DECREE SUPPORTS TRANSMOUNTAIN DIVERSION AND EXISTING PRIVATE INSTREAM FLOW RIGHTS ARE ASSUMED NOT VALID. 3. NEW JUNIOR DECREE SUPPORTS TRANSMOUNTAIN DIVERSION AND EXISTING PRIVATE INSTREAM FLOW RIGHTS ARE VALID.

• JtiSTTIEAAAFLOIV - ASSUMED REQUIREMENTS DOWNSTREAM OF TAYLOR PARK DAM SATISFIED FIRST. EVALUATED THREE FLOW REGIMES AS FOLLOWS:

REGIME 1: REGIME 2: REGIME 3:

OCT-APR 50 CFS OCT-MAR 75 CFS OCT-MAR 75 CFS MAY-SEP 100 CFS APR 100 CFS APR 100 CFS MAY-JUL 150 CFS MAY-JUN15 150 CFS AUG-SEP 100 CFS JUN15-AUG15 300 CFS AUG15-SEP 100 CFS TAYLOR PARK PROJECT EXPORT YIELD VS. INSTREAM FLOW EXISTING AND NEW WATER RIGHTS

LEGEND

EXISTING RIGHTS (UVWUA STORAGE DECREE)

NEW RIGHTS ASSUMING EXISTING PRIVATE INSTEAM FLOW DECREES NOT OPERATIONAL

NEW RIGHTS WITH EXISTING PRIVATE INSTREAM FLOW DECREES OPERATIONAL

Private

INSTREAM FLOW REGIME BELOW TAYLOR PARK SUMMARY OF EXPORT ALTERNATIVES

AVE. ANNUAL ANNUALIZED YIELD UNIT COST^ UNIT COST^ PROJECT (AF/YR) ($/AF) ($/AF/YR)

CENTRAL COLORADO PROJECT 60,000 6,830 753

CENTRAL COLORADO PROJECT 150,000 3,310 425

COLLEGIATE RANGE PROJECT 73,100 7,810 752

UNION PARK PROJECT 63,000^ 12,760 1,292

UNION PARK PROJECT 111,000^ 7,240 733

TAYLOR PARK PROJECT 42,000 7,207 71 8

TAYLOR PARK PROJECT WITH 100,000 5.148 621 BLUE MESA IMPORTS 5

1. PROJECTS CONSIST OF WEST SLOPE STORAGE AND A WATER DELIVERY SYSTEM TO THE EAST SLOPE. NO EAST SLOPE STORAGE IS INCLUDED. 2. BASED ON TOTAL INVESTMENT COST. 3. SOURCE: FLEMING, DAVID E., COLLEGIATE RANGE PROJECT, 1985. 4. RANGE OF YIELD DEPENDING ON INTEGRATION WITH DWD SYSTEM PER USCOE (DWD SYSTEM WIDE EIS) 5. PROJECT IMPORTS 58,000 AF PER YEAR FROM BLUE MESA RESERVOIR.