Here's a report about water planning for Ouray, from the Telluride Watch. From the article, "Historically, the issue of water availability in the city of Ouray has not been a matter of great concern. Thanks to the city's fortunate location at the headwaters of the Gunnison Basin, and the first entity to receive water, and because generous monsoon conditions have been at play in the region recently, it is unlikely there will be calls from any water users with senior rights downstream from Ouray this summer season. Water planning is well underway, nonetheless. That's because the Colorado Division of Water Resources requested two years ago that the city formally audit its available water resources and formulate a long-term emergency water plan. This plan would provide a source of replacement water, should enough water someday be called by senior water users so as to cause a water shortage in Ouray. The state, furthermore, is asking the city to plan for sufficient water in the near term - and to support that call with statistical information on future population projections, particularly maximum potential summer-tourist volume and fulltime occupancy of seasonal homes. This complex and lengthy planning initiative was prompted by the 2002 drought, the worst in recorded Colorado history. That drought, which triggered thousands of wildfires in the state, brought Colorado to a level of 'exceptional' dryness, according to a Colorado Division of Water Resources report, leading Ouray's water to be called twice by the Montrose and Delta Canal between May and September. It was the first time a significant water call had occurred since 1977; and as a result, water restrictions were implemented in Ouray."
Category: Colorado Water
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