Date: 07/21/2015
Final
Update on Hydropower Development Projects in the Gunnison River Basin
WATER RESOURCES REVIEW COMMITTEE
| Votes: View--> | Action Taken: |
| <none> | <none> |
03:11 PM -- Update on Hydropower Development Projects in the Gunnison River Basin
Mike Berry, Tri-County Water Conservancy District (Tri-County Water), began his presentation regarding the Ridgway Dam and an update on hydroelectric power in Montrose. Mr. Berry explained how the dam provides power and explained that due to the wet spring this year, the dam ran both of its available generators. Mr. Berry explained that the project began in 1984, when Tri-County Water commissioned the first feasibility study. He described the timeline of the project, which was completed in 2014 and explained the environmental benefits of the project as well as how much the project cost. The total cost of the project was approximately $18 million. Using pictures of the project, Mr. Berry explained the process of building the dam and explained that, in order to build the dam, Tri-County Water received funds from the Colorado Water Resource and Power Development Authority and the Colorado Water Conservation Board.
03:30 PM
Steve Fletcher, Manager of Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association (UVWUA), introduced himself to the committee and explained that he would give an update of the hydrologic projects from the UVWUA. Mr. Fletcher explained that UVWUA picked two sites on the Gunnison Tunnel to produce hydroelectric power. Construction on both sites began in 2012 and were completed in 2013. Mr. Fletcher explained how the two electric sites work with the Gunnison Canal and displayed pictures to the committee. He explained that in 2015 two other plants were constructed and are now producing power on the M&D Canal and the South Canal. UVWUA has developed several partnerships in order to complete these projects, which Mr. Fletcher described. According to Mr. Fletcher, recent legislation has made the permitting of power privilege for hydroelectric sites easier and less time consuming. UVWUA has been exploring new, less expensive technology and has a total of six hydroelectric facilities, totaling 18 megawatts of energy. Mr. Fletcher stated that each facility only runs during irrigation season. Mr. Fletcher answered questions from the committee.