Date: 02/24/2010
Final
Colorado River Water Availability Study
COMMITTEE ON JOINT AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
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08:15 AM -- Colorado River Water Availability Study
Jennifer Gimbel, Director, Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), explained that the General Assembly commissioned in Senate Bill 07-122 a study of consumptive and nonconsumptive needs in the Colorado Basin. Since 2007, the Colorado General Assembly has appropriated $2 million from the Colorado Water Conservation Board Construction Fund for the Colorado Water Conservation Board to evaluate water availability in the Colorado River basin and its tributaries. The study, called the Colorado River Water Availability Study (CRWAS), seeks to determine how much water from the Colorado River Basin System is available to meet Colorado's current and future water need. According to Senate Bill 07-122, the board must work in full consultation with, and with the active involvement of the basin roundtables. The Colorado River Availability Study is also required to consider current and potential future in-basin consumptive and nonconsumptive needs. Phase I of the study will identify the current water uses in the Colorado River Basin. Phase II of the study will examine future water needs in the basin. Ms. Gimbel described efforts to consult with the IBCC, basin round tables and other interested persons as part of the CRWAS.
08:21 AM
Ray Alvarado, CWCB, explained that Phase I of the Colorado River Availability Study considered existing water infrastructure, current perfected water rights, and current levels of consumptive and nonconsumptive water demand (Attachment C). The study also examined the potential effect of global warming on precipitation in Colorado Basin and consumption for irrigation and other beneficial uses. For example, the study indicated that there will be additional water available in the Yampa River Basin during the runoff period. However, this runoff occurs earlier and crop consumption will increase due to a longer growing season. Mr. Alvarado also discussed estimated stream flows in other subbasins of the Colorado River Basin. The study also examined historic water storage in major Colorado River Basin reservoirs and projected storage in the year 2040.
08:37 AM
Ms. Gimbel described Colorado's water delivery obligation under the Colorado River Compact and the Upper Colorado River Compact. She also described current average annual consumption in Colorado and estimated how much water may be available for new consumptive uses in Colorado.
08:48 AM
Ms. Gimbel responded to questions from the committee concerning water available for additional consumption in Colorado and alternatives to augment the natural water supply with cloud seeding.
08:52 AM
The meeting adjourned.