Water right acquisition would benefit area rivers, residents and golfers

“In drought years… it’s a struggle”

The deal isn’t sealed yet, but the waters in Washington Gulch and Slate River may be running a bit higher this summer. During its January meeting, the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) approved the acquisition of 5.45 cubic feet per second of water under the Breem Ditch water right for instream flow use in Washington Gulch and the Slate River.

Instream flow is a non-consumptive use—which means the water will be left in a particular stretch of the rivers to preserve and improve the natural environment. Irrigation demand would often dry up Washington Gulch completely by the middle of July and significantly deplete Slate River flows as well. This transaction will allow Washington Gulch to flow year-round, even during dry summers, and will help fix flow shortages to the Slate River, according to the CWCB.
If the transaction goes through between the Colorado Water Trust, the CWCB, the Skyland Metropolitan District, and Verzuh Ranch, Inc., Skyland residents will likely have a little more drought-protection as well. After being used for instream flows in the rivers, the acquired water will be diverted into Skyland Metropolitan District’s system, namely Grant Lake reservoir. The diversion point would be just upstream of the Hwy. 135 bridge that crosses the Slate River.
A CWCB press release stated that during 2002 to 2004—Colorado’s most severe recent drought period—Skyland was in danger of impairment, or not having enough water to meet its municipal needs.
According to Skyland Metropolitan District Manager Mike Billingsley, “The transaction is under contract but not closed; we’re about halfway through the 180-day diligence period. The CWCB approved their contribution during their January meeting, but we don’t have it in hand yet.” Billingsley said they’ve been working on the water right acquisition for four to five years. “It’s been pretty hot and heavy since I started a year-and-a-half ago,” he said.
“The water right itself is important for Skyland to complete our water portfolio,” explained Billingsley. “In drought years, the reservoir goes low, the golf course goes dry, and it’s a struggle.”
Linda Bassi, chief of the CWCB’s Stream and Lake Protection section, said the deal has the potential to be a “very good collaboration between consumptive and non-consumptive water use.”
The CWCB is the only entity in the state that can hold instream water rights to preserve and improve the natural environment to a reasonable degree. Under its Water Acquisition Program, the CWCB can acquire water from willing water rights owners by donation, purchase, lease or other arrangement to include in the Instream Flow Program.
“This is a great example of the benefits CWCB’s Water Acquisition Program can provide to our state’s streams through creative partnerships with water users,” said CWCB Director Jennifer Gimbel.
As Billingsley said, “It’s still far from being closed.” But if the arrangement goes through, there’ll be more water in the rivers, the wetlands will get recharged, and Skyland will be hydrated, even if drought conditions arrive.
For more information, visit www.cwcb.state.co.us/.