Colorado Water
The Animas-La Plata project is in the news this morning. Senator Pete Dominici, one of the project's biggest supporters, is worried about recent cost overruns, according to the Denver Post [March 25, 2004, "Animas-La Plata dam threatened"]. From the article, "Domenici has been one of the biggest backers of the ALP dam, which would tap the free-flowing Animas River near Durango. But he says his patience has been tested by a 50 percent surge in costs reported last summer. The price tag of the dam shot to $500 million from $338 million, the amount Congress approved in 2000. The Bureau of Reclamation, which is building the dam, has taken responsibility for the overruns, saying they arose from political turmoil, unforeseen expenses and no-bid contracts with Indian tribes that are to get water from the dam."
Here's the coverage from the Rocky Mountain News [March 25, 2004, "Water project is 'in a mess'"].
More background here and here.
Denver Water is warning that water surcharges may have to go into effect unless customers conserve, according to the Denver Post [March 25, 2004, "Water Board issues surcharge alert, works on drought-response plan"]. From the article, "Denver Water manager Chips Barry said customers' conservation has been a big help, possibly lessening the severity of water restrictions later on. After little winter snow in 2002, spring was marked by unusually warm, dry weather. Many of Denver Water's 1.2 million customers began watering their lawns, which siphoned off more of the already-diminished supply. However, this year, at the encouragement of the utility, many have held off on watering. Customers are using 10 percent less water than normal, said Ed Pokorney, Denver Water's director of planning." The rainy side of Colorado was heard applauding.
Here's the coverage from the Rocky [March 25, 2004, "State snowpack at 75% of average"].
6:47:31 AM 
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