Monday, February 6, 2006

Northern to build Glade Reservoir? The Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District is hoping to build a new reservoir near Fort Collins, according to the Longmont Daily Times-Call. From the article, "Tucked between two scenic hogbacks in the barren lands north of Fort Collins on U.S. Highway 287 lies a stretch of land that could hold a solution to future water demands in growing southwest Weld County. "This is where the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District has proposed to build Glade Reservoir and divert junior water rights from the Poudre River, the last untapped water source in northern Colorado, and sell it for urban use. "The reservoir, which would hold 177,000 acre-feet of water, would be bigger than Horsetooth Reservoir just west of Fort Collins, which holds 152,000 acre-feet. "District officials believe it's the best way to capture Poudre River water - the latest proposal in a local dam debate that has been alive for decades. "The plan is called the Northern Integrated Supply Project, which includes a second reservoir in eastern Weld County for irrigation water. "Though the proposal is in the middle of the federal environmental impact process, the district hopes to break ground on the $318 million project, which includes rerouting U.S. 287, by early 2007. It would take several years to complete, and two or three years alone to fill up Glade Reservoir." Category: Colorado Water 6:02:42 AM     Sewage spills Just in case people are thinking that Pueblo is over-reacting to the recent sewage spills by Colorado Springs into Fountain Creek, the Pueblo Chieftain has the details. From the article, "In the past 10 years, Colorado Springs has averaged more than 10 sewer spills annually, including some of the largest releases in the state. "The number of spills is greater; spills are more likely to enter a waterway; and the volume of spills generally more significant than other communities, according to a review of state records by The Pueblo Chieftain. The state issued its latest compliance order for sewer spills into Fountain Creek in December, but records at the Colorado Department of Health and Public Environment indicate a pattern of pollution that closely follows growth of the Colorado Springs system... "About 50 to 60 releases are reported statewide each year, but no other city comes close to the number of spills reported by Colorado Springs. "Looking at a state summary report from 2000-03, for instance, Colorado Springs had 39 spills, while Denver had seven and Pueblo eight. "During that time, Colorado Springs spills were normally small and of short duration, although two spills released more than 270,000 gallons each into Fountain Creek. Denver's largest spill was 200,000 gallons, while Pueblo's was 5,000 gallons. More than half of spills from Colorado Springs entered a stream, while only two from Denver and one from Pueblo reached state waters. Colorado Springs had six spills between 5,000 and 100,000 gallons, while Denver and Pueblo had none." Category: Colorado Water 5:41:06 AM

© Copyright 2006 John Orr. Last update: 12/29/06; 11:06:20 AM.