Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Loveland area reservoir levels Reservoir levels for Loveland area reservoirs are low and going lower, according to the Longmont Daily Times-Call. From the article, "This week, lake operators stopped draining it and began adding water from the Colorado-Big Thompson Project. Greeley water managers say they typically infuse the three Loveland reservoirs - Boyd Lake, Lake Loveland and Horseshoe Lake - with 5,000 acre-feet of C-BT water each summer. But this year the city is adding another 2,000 acre-feet to those reservoirs to bolster its water supply, said Jon Monson, Greeley water and sewer director. 'We're looking for a home for our (extra water) to store for the winter,' he said. 'And from the long-term forecast, we may need it.' Record-low moisture levels in the foothills combined with a disappointing spring runoff have left many reservoirs below average, said Fred Renner, Big Thompson River commissioner. That is because the local reservoirs fill from the river according to historic water rights. Water levels in the river have remained low, and only those with the most senior water rights have been able to capture any spring runoff." Category: Colorado Water 6:06:19 AM     Warming and the effect on Colorado's water supply Here's an article about global warming and it's effects on Colorado's water supply from the Colorado Daily News. They write, "Coloradoans can expect summer droughts to increase in severity and duration if global warming trends continue, according to a new analysis of government data. Environment Colorado, a pro-environment organization, reports that data released by the U.S. Department of Energy shows global warming pollution in Colorado increased from 27.3 million metric tons of CO2 - carbon dioxide - in 1960 to 87.8 million metric tons in 2001, an increase of 221 percent. Carbon dioxide is considered a pollutant. Environment Colorado's analysis shows that if global warming continues at current rates, Colorado will suffer serious water shortages in the future as well as more frequent and extreme droughts due to increased evaporation of water in the soil... "Precipitation has decreased by 10 percent in Eastern Colorado while temperatures have risen by an average of 2 degrees Fahrenheit since 1900, according to the U.S. National Assessment conducted in 2000 by the U.S. Global Change Research Program, a multi-agency project of the U.S. government. According to the assessment, temperatures in the Rocky Mountains have risen by 2 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, while precipitation has decreased since 1900. The assessment projected 8 degree to 11 degree Fahrenheit increases in temperature in the mountains and 5 degree to 12 degree increases on the plains over the 21st century. It projected a 21st century decrease in precipitation across Colorado. Increased coal and oil combustion emissions were responsible for 50 percent and 35 percent of this increase in CO2 emissions, respectively, according to Environment Colorado's report. The report ranks Colorado at No. 23 for 2001 emissions with 87.8 million metric tons of CO2. Texas ranks No. 1 with 668.5 million metric tons of CO2, and Vermont ranks No. 50 with 6.5 million metric tons of CO2... "Francis said Environment Colorado supports the Safe Climate Act, which would require the United States to freeze greenhouse gas emissions levels in 2010. It would then require the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent from 2005 levels by 2020 and by 80 percent from 2005 levels by 2050. The bill would accomplish this through improved energy efficiency, increased use of renewable energy sources and a 'cap-and-trade' program. Francis said the 'cap-and-trade' program would limit the amount of greenhouse gases any state or group of industries could emit. She said it would then allow companies to trade or purchase the rights to release greenhouse gases, stopping greenhouse gas emissions from surpassing the limit. Ken Wonstolen, senior vice president of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association, said freezing CO2 emissions by 2010 is 'an unreachable goal.' Wonstolen said Kyoto Treaty signatories - aside from Russia and the United Kingdom - have not met their emissions targets with 10 years to prepare, so the United States will not be able to freeze its emissions in four years." Category: Colorado Water 5:50:23 AM

© Copyright 2006 John Orr. Last update: 12/29/06; 11:52:07 AM.