Tuesday, January 27, 2009

McPhee and Jackson Gulch reservoirs update From the Cortez Journal: "Jackson Gulch reservoir live content stood at 3,554 acre-feet with a 9,948 acre-feet maximum capacity and a 4,439 acre-feet average (1971-2000) end-of-month content. At Jackson Gulch, a daily maximum/minimum of 0 cubic-feet-per-second was released into the Mancos River, and 24 acre-feet were released for municipal purposes. "McPhee Reservoir live content stood at 286,024 acre-feet, with a 381,051 acre-feet maximum capacity and a 290,548 average (1986-2000) end-of-month content. At McPhee, 1,857 acre-feet were released into the Dolores River, and 3,528 acre-feet were released for transbasin purposes. At McPhee, a daily maximum/minimum of 31/30 cubic-feet-per-second was released into the Dolores River." "colorado water" 7:08:11 PM     Mining policy and governance From the Colorado Independent (David O. Williams): "On the same day a West Virginia lawmaker is expected to introduce the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2009, the Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining today released a report finding industry subsidies could cost American taxpayers up to $1.6 billion dollars in the coming decade. "Democratic Rep. Nick Rahall, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, is looking to reform the General Mining Law of 1872, signed by President Ulysses S. Grant, which allows for the royalty-free extraction of gold, uranium and other hard-rock minerals from public lands across the West." More Coyote Gulch coverage here. "cc" 6:56:42 PM     Energy policy -- geothermal: New pipeline for the Salida Aquatic Center From The Mountain Mail (Christopher Kolomitz): "New pipe in a segment of line carrying water from Poncha Hot Springs five miles west of Salida may deliver it to Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center at about 113 degrees. That would be hot enough the water would require cooling - something that hasn't been necessary for years at the Salida landmark on U.S. 50." [More...] Engineers from Schmueser Gordon and Meyer recommended using 4-inch high-performance, high density polyethylene pipe. Cost of material would be about $53,700 with installation estimated at $459,000. Engineers estimate an approximate temperature loss of 27.9 degrees if the pipe is buried four feet and soil surface temperature is 20 degrees. Adding rigid foam insulation above the pipe would increase total cost about $45,000 and reduce temperature loss by about one degree, engineers said. In their recommendation, engineers said pre-insulated pipe is expensive to install and addition of rigid insulation should be an option in the bid for contractors. The 140 gallon per minute flow from the hot spring source will be pressured at 100 pounds per square inch and should keep the pipe full, meaning less temperature loss and greater flow delivered to the pool, engineers reported. More Coyote Gulch coverage here. "colorado water" 6:24:11 PM     Colorado Springs City council approves rate increases From the Colorado Springs Gazette: "Colorado Springs Utilities is increasing rates for residents 41 percent for water, 8.7 percent for electricity and 14.3 percent for wastewater. "Businesses can expect water rate hikes of 43.8 percent for commercial and 42.9 percent for industrial users, and wastewater hikes of 17.3 percent for commercial and 13.5 percent for industrial users. Electric rates will remain flat or decrease slightly." "The new rates take effect Feb. 1." Wow. "colorado water" 5:52:01 PM

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