Sunday, August 20, 2006

Fountain Creek management What is the long-term picture for Fountain Creek? The Pueblo Chieftain looks at the creek and it's problems. From the article, "As growth occurs upstream and here in Pueblo County, the long-term local and regional problems associated with the pollution of the watershed, along Fountain Creek, are likely to get worse. Efforts are currently underway in Colorado Springs and here in Pueblo to repair aging sewer lines to prevent future spills from occurring. The health department knows how important Fountain Creek is to the citizens of Pueblo, and is taking an active role, both locally and regionally, to address Pueblo citizens' public health concerns. Permanent warning signs at access points along Fountain Creek have been posted. A spill-response plan has been developed in cooperation with Colorado Springs Utilities so residents can be quickly notified in the event of a sewage spill. Water sampling for E. coli is also being done at multiple sites along Fountain Creek and the Arkansas River. The public will be notified when bacterial levels are high, such as after last month's rainstorms. Sampling will continue through 2007 to keep the public aware of future health risks... "Regionally, many groups are involved in examining the problems on Fountain Creek. Friends of the Fountain, an advocacy group, has been meeting for over a year in order to look at issues, such as erosion control and having the creek declared a wildlife sanctuary. They have brought in speakers and linked with elected officials to attempt to address these problems. The Eastside Neighborhood Association, Sierra Club, and the Colorado Progressive Coalition are other groups interested in solving issues surrounding the creek." Category: Colorado Water 9:08:55 AM     Stonewall Springs project Here's an article about the proposed Stonewall Springs project in the Arkansas River basin, from the Pueblo Chieftain. They write, "A Colorado Springs developer who wants to develop water storage and hydroelectric power generation on private land says his plan is meant to meet projected shortfalls in supply and could complement rather than compete with other projects. Mark Morley has filed an application for pump-back hydroelectric power generation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and is seeking a hydroelectric water right in Division 2 water court at two new reservoirs envisioned near Brush Hollow Reservoir at Penrose. In addition, he wants to build a reservoir at Stonewall Springs near the Pueblo Chemical Depot east of Pueblo that could deliver water through pipelines to the north and even by gravity to the east. Morley said the Stonewall Springs project could meet increased municipal demand in the Colorado Springs area, help Eastern Plains communities get higher quality water and provide a way for farmers to market some of their water... "H2O Water Providers LLC - Morley, his brother Jim and their financial partners - filed their application with FERC in July. The Morleys own about 6,000 acres near Brush Hollow Reservoir and plan to generate electricity by running water from two new reservoirs to an 'afterbay' on land they own near the Arkansas River. They also hold some water rights associated with the land purchases, but not significant in terms of filling the new reservoirs. Turbines that generate power could be reversed to pump water into the reservoirs during off-peak hours, similar to the way the Bureau of Reclamation operates the Mount Elbert generating station at Twin Lakes, Morley said. In addition, electricity could be generated as water from the reservoirs was returned to the river, generating revenue for customers, Morley said. Two new earthen dams capable of storing 58,000 acre-feet of water would be built north of Penrose. The afterbay would be a smaller, lined 'hole in the ground' about 200 acres across and 50 feet deep. Two 180- to 220-megawatt pump turbines capable of generating 280,800 to 457,600 megawatt-hours of electricity annually would be part of the project. Morley estimates the cost of building the reservoirs would be $87 million, while the power generation component would be $220 million. His plans for Stonewall Springs are less concrete. The reservoir would have a capacity between 28,000 and 50,000 acre-feet, Morley said... "Objectors are Florence, Canon City, Pueblo Board of Water Works, Colorado Springs, Aurora, the Bureau of Land Management, Beaver Park Water, Penrose Water District and several landowners." Category: Colorado Water 8:55:49 AM

© Copyright 2006 John Orr. Last update: 12/29/06; 12:05:14 PM.