Craig Cotten Division Engineer ALAMOSA COLORADO Rio Grande River - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Craig Cotten Division Engineer

ALAMOSA COLORADO

Rio Grande River near Del Norte, CO AF x 1000 Annual Calendar Year Flows Running Avg. 1200.0 1200 1100.0 1000.0 1000 900.0 800.0 800 Acre-Feet x 1000 700.0 600.0 600 500.0 400.0 400 300.0 200.0 200 100.0 0.0 0 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Year

Mid 1980’s 2002 currently

Groundwater  Approximately 6,000 large capacity wells  Approximately 4,500 of those are active  Vast majority are irrigation wells  Water produced from both aquifers  State Engineer attempted to promulgate Rules and Regulations in 1975. Attempt withdrawn in mid 1980’s  Currently no specific groundwater use rules in Division 3.

Ground Water Use Rules Ground Water Use Rules are necessary to: Protect Senior Water Rights 1. Maintain Sustainable Underground Water Supplies 2. Maintain Compact Compliance 3. Options for Well Owners Obtain an Individual or “Blanket” Plan for 1. Augmentation (Water Court) Participate in a Ground Water Management Subdistrict 2. Discontinue Non-Exempt Well Use 3.

SUBDISTRICT CONCEPTS  MARKET BASED APPROACH TO REDUCE WATER CONSUMPTION, REPLACE INJURY.  ESTABLISHED IN AREAS OF COMMON INTEREST AND WATER USE.  LEVY FEES ON LANDS DEPENDING ON THE BENEFITS THE LANDS RECEIVE FROM GROUNDWATER.  LOCALLY GOVERNED.  LAND FALLOWING – LOCALLY RUN CREP.

 First Subdistrict plan approved by Colorado Supreme Court last year.  2012 was first year of Subdistrict #1 operation.  Replacement of injurious depletions began May 1, 2012 .  Next Annual Operating Plan due to State Engineer by April 15.

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