Colorado Water
Dazed and confused coverage of water issues in Colorado







































































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Tuesday, February 28, 2006
 

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Aurora is looking at watering restrictions again this summer, according to the Rocky Mountain News. From the article, "For the fifth year in a row, residents could face a wave of water restrictions.

"Council members gave initial approval Monday to a proposal that would limit watering to three days a week. It faces two more rounds of consideration by council members before the watering rules could be formally adopted. If approved, the rules would be in effect from May 1 through Oct. 31.

"Under the proposal, residences with addresses ending in an even number could water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Odd numbers could water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. No one could water between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

"Aurora Water Director Peter Binney said the restrictions would help the city with its effort to improve water capacity, currently at 59 percent, or 1 percentage point less than the amount considered acceptable.

"He also said that while mountain snowpack has been fairly good this winter, weather experts are forecasting an exceptionally dry spring.

"Council members hope that the restrictions - as well as a long list of conservation programs - will put residents in a constant water-savings mode.

Category: Colorado Water


7:35:36 AM    

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Here's a story from the Pueblo Chieftain about Fountain Creek, Colorado Springs and the problems on the creek. From the article, "In July, the two councils met in a tense session where Pueblo demanded Colorado Springs take action after large raw sewage spills in May and June. Monday[base ']s meeting was tame in comparison, as Pueblo Council members acknowledged progress, while expressing some lingering concerns.

"Following the Colorado Springs presentation, Pueblo Councilman Jeff Chostner suggested opening the 2004 intergovernmental agreement to formally address Colorado Springs responsibilities.

"Forte recapped Colorado Springs efforts to repair sewer pipes that cross streams, develop a stormwater enterprise and evaluate vulnerable parts of its sewer system.

"Colorado Springs is taking a step further and looking at putting an inflatable dam on Fountain Creek to capture spills when they occur. Such dams are used by ditch companies - Fort Lyon Canal operates one on the Arkansas River - but would be unprecedented for wastewater control, Forte said.

Category: Colorado Water


7:18:16 AM    

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The best hope for sustainable water supplies is to build more storage or expand existing storage. Fort Collins and Greeley are planning to do just that with Halligan Reservoir and Seaman Reservoir, according to the Fort Collins Coloradoan.

From the article, "The city of Fort Collins owns Halligan, which would grow from its current 6,400 acre-feet to 40,000 acre-feet. An acre-foot of water is enough to serve one or two urban families of four for a year.

"Fort Collins would gain about 12,000 acre-feet of storage and share the rest with Fort Collins-Loveland, North Weld and East Larimer County water districts, as well as North Poudre Irrigation Co.

"The city of Greeley owns Seaman, which would expand from 5,000 acre-feet to 60,000 acre-feet.

"Both reservoirs are on the North Fork of the Poudre River.

"Reservoir proponents say they need more storage to supply future growth and protect against severe droughts.

"Opponents say water providers should pursue water efficiency and conservation before asking for bigger reservoirs. They also say the bigger reservoirs would destroy habitat and threaten the tourist market that has grown up around the Poudre River.

"The plan, now at the beginning of a federal permitting process, calls for Halligan's expansion by 2010 and Seaman's expansion by 2020. A draft environmental impact statement is due by the end of 2007.

"Each reservoir would get a new dam, with the Halligan dam measuring twice as big as the existing dam. The reservoir's surface area would increase by about 2.5 times.

Category: Colorado Water


7:11:33 AM    


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