About WIP
Origin of the Program
In August of 1994, the Southwestern Water Conservation District (SWCD), in cooperation with several water agencies and entities in southwestern Colorado, created the Water Information Program. Given the limited resources of individual water entities in providing water information to the public, the SWCD took the leading role in establishing a public information program.
Administration
Each water district, water agency or company has a specific set of priorities and issues that their respective entity faces. The organizational challenge was overcome through a number of guiding principles of how best to communicate changing water issues and diverse priorities among the participating entities. A committee of representatives from the participating entities was formed to assist in the program oversight and direction. Semi-annual meetings allow the program Coordinator to review the budget and provide reports of work completed and solicit suggestions for new projects, products, or materials.
Our Commitment
While each individual water agency or water district has very specific issues that impacts them, each participating entity has a pressing need to educate and inform the public on basic water knowledge. It is the commitment of all who participate to establish the program as a reliable source of basic water information in Colorado.
For more information on the Water Information Program contact:
Denise Rue-Pastin
Water Information Program Coordinator
841 East Second Avenue; Durango, CO 81302
(970) 247-1302; (970) 259-8423 [fax]
E-mail
Participating Entities
The Water Information Program works with a number of participating entities around Southwest Colorado.
Animas-La Plata Water Conservancy District
ANIMAS-LA PLATA WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT (ALP)
POB 475
841 East Second Avenue
Durango, CO 81302
(970) 247-2659
(970) 259-1302
Email ALP
BACKGROUND
The Animas-La Plata Water Concervancy District (ALP) is a special district formed on March 18, 1981 as set forth in C.R.S. 37-45-102. The territory included within the boundaries of the District are divided into three subdivisions with Directors appointed from each.
MISSION
The general purpose of the District includes, but is not limited to: "acquire and appropriate waters of the Animas and La Plata rivers and their tributaries and other sources of water supply by means of "works" as defined in the "Water Conservancy Act" and to divert, store, transport, conserve and stabilize all of said supplies of water for domestic, irrigation, power, manufacturing and other beneficial uses within and for the territory to be included in the District."
MANAGEMENT
The ALP is governed by a 15 member Board of Directors. The Board adopts an annual budget based upon a mill levy. Directors are appointed to four year terms by the Division 7 Water Judge. The present Directors, their positions on the Board, and current terms of office are as follows:
Robert Wolff, President, Subdivision 3 (to March 2009)
Deems Taylor, Vice-President, Subdivion 1 (to March 2009)
Doris Brennan, Secretary/Treasurer, Subdivision 3 (to March 2007)
Kenneth Beegles, Subdivision 3 (to March 2010)
Gene Bradley, Subdivision 2 (to March 2006)
Tom Brossia, Subdivision 2 (to March 2007)
Joseph Colgan, Subdivision 3 (to March 2009)
Ronald Gillen, Subdivision 1 (to March 2009)
J. Pat Greer, Subdivision 1 (to March 2010)
Lawrence Huntington, Subdivision 1 (to March 2007)
James Isgar, Subdivision 1 (to March 2010)
Stephen Krest, Subdivision 1 (to March 2009)
Mark Langford, Subdivision 1 (to March 2007)
Paul Stahlecker, Subdivision 2 (to March 2007)
Jon T. (Ted) Vickers, Subdivision 3 (to March 2010)
Currently, the Board of Directors meets every other month on the second Tuesday.
RELATED LINKS
City of Durango Water Commission
CITY OF DURANGO
949 East Second Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
Visit the City of Durango's website
BACKGROUND
MISSION
MANAGEMENT
| Name | Appointed | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| Fred Kroeger | 9/2/2003 | 8/31/2006 |
| Bill Ramaley | 9/2/2003 | 8/31/2006 |
| Chris Wilbur | 8/17/2004 | 8/31/2007 |
| Kent Ford | 3/5/2002 | 8/31/2005 |
| Bob Wolff | 3/5/2002 | 8/31/2005 |
| Alice Outwater, Alternate | 9/2/2003 | 8/31/2006 |
| Jack Rogers, Director of Public Works |
RELATED LINKS
Colorado Water Resources Development & Power Authority
COLORADO WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND POWER AUTHORITY
Denver, CO 80203-1942
(303) 830-1550
(303) 832-8205 [Fax]
BACKGROUND
The Colorado Water Resources Development and Power Authority (CWRDPA or Authority) was created by the Colorado State General Assembly in 1981. The Authority has evolved into a major financing resource for water and wastewater utilities throughout Colorado. In the 1980’s, the Authority was involved with many water projects and basin-wide studies, the satellite stream monitoring system, the financing of the Stagecoach Reservoir Project and negotiations involving the Animas-La Plata Project. Starting in 1989, the Authority began focusing on financing activities with the first bond issue for the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund. In 1990 the Authority completed its first “pooled” financing for the Small Water Resources Projects Program. In 1997, the Authority completed its first financing for the Drinking Water Revolving Fund. With statutory changes adopted in 2003, the Authority may fund loans of up to $500 million per borrower per project.
MISSION
MANAGEMENT
The CWRDPA is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors appointed to four-year terms by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The Board members are chosen geographically from the eight major drainages basins around the State and from the City and County of Denver.
RELATED LINKS
Water Quality Control Division
Department of Local Affairs
Rural Development
Colorado Water Conservation Board
Colorado Wastewater Utility Council
Dolores Water Conservancy District
Dolores Water Conservancy District (DWCD)
60 South Cactus
Cortez, CO 81321
Visit the DWCD Web Site
BACKGROUND
MISSION
MANAGEMENT
The DWCD is governed by a seven member Board of Directors who serve four-year terms. The Board adopts an annual budget based upon a mill levy. The present Directors, their positions on the Board, and current terms of office are as follows:
Donald Schwindt, President (to July 2007)
Fran Hartle, Director (to March 2007)
Bruce Smart, Director (to March 2010)
Steve Trudeau, Director (to November 2008)
The Board meetings, which are open to the public, begin at 7:00 pm the second Thursday of each month at 60 South Cactus.
RELATED LINKS
Florida Water Conservancy District
Florida Water Conservancy District (FWCD)
Durango, CO 81301
Visit the FWCD USBR Website
BACKGROUND
MISSION
MANAGEMENT
Lemon Dam is the principal feature of the Florida Project, which is a participating project of the Colorado River Storage Project. The dam is located in southwestern Colorado on the Florida River, approximately 14 miles northeast of Durango in La Plata County. Floodwaters of the Florida River are stored in the reservoir formed by the dam, and regulated releases can provide supplemental irrigation water for 19,450 acres.
Water is released form the reservoir as needed and conveyed in the natural river channel to the heads of the various downstream canals and ditches that divert the flow and distribute the water to project lands.
In addition to the construction of Lemon Dam, Bureau of Reclamation work included rebuilding the Florida farmers Diversion Dam, enlarging 3.9 miles of the Florida Farmers Ditch to its bifurcation with the Florida Canal, enlarging 1.8 miles of the Florida Canal, and building a new lateral system to serve about 3,360 acres of land on the southeast portion of Florida Mesa. Project funds were advanced to the Florida Water Conservancy District to rehabilitate, enlarge, and extend the portions of the Florida Farmers Ditch and Florida Canal distribution systems that serve remaining lands on Florida Mesa. The 1,190 acres of project land located in the Florida River Valley will continue to be served by numerous small ditches without the expenditure of project funds.
Lemon Dam & Reservoir
Lemon Dam is a zoned earthfill structure with a structural height of 284 feet and a crest length of 1,360 feet. The dam embankment has a maximum base width of 1,170 feet, a crest width of 30 feet, and contains a volume of 3,042,000 cubic yards of earth and rock materials.
The spillway is on the right abutment of the dam and consists of an approach channel, concrete inlet structure, concrete ogee crest section, open concrete chute, concrete stilling basin, and outlet channel discharging into the Florida River. The design capacity of the spillway is 9,600 cubic feet per second.
The outlet works is also in the right abutment of the dam and consists of an approach channel, a concrete intake structure, and a concrete-lined tunnel with gate chamber for two 2.5-foot-square high pressure gates. The 9-foot horseshoe-shaped tunnel has a design capacity of 910 cubic feet per second.
Lemon Reservoir is approximately 0.5 mile wide and 3 miles long with a surface area of 622 acres. The total capacity is 40,146 acre-feet, of which 39,030 acre-feet are active conservation.
Florida Farmers Diversion Dam and Ditches
Major rehabilitation of the Florida Farmers Diversion Dam was conducted in 1962-63. This included construction of an earthfill section for the diversion dam approximately 500 feet long at the crest, and construction of an overflow weir, headworks, sluiceway, wingwall, and fish screens.
During the same construction period, the Florida Farmers Ditch was enlarged and relocated along 3.9 miles, and Florida Canal was enlarged and relocated over 1.8 miles. The first irrigation water was delivered in 1964.
Benefits
Irrigation
Irrigated lands are used largely for the support of livestock enterprises. Climatically adaptable crops such as small grains, alfalfa, pasture, and corn are the principal products.
Recreation
Recreation facilities at Lemon Reservoir were constructed by the National Park Service and are operated by the Forest Service. During 1981, 12-hour visitor days totaled 33,065.
Flood Control
Flood control benefits result from reduced snowmelt flooding due to the operation of Lemon Reservoir
Mancos Water Conservancy District
Mancos Water Conservancy District (MWCD)
BACKGROUND
The Mancos Project serves over 13,000 acres of the Mancos Valley and consists of Jackson Gulch Dam and Reservoir. This is an off-river storage project with a feeder canal running 2.6 miles from the West Mancos river and a return canal of 2.2 miles back to the West Mancos river. The Project is located in southwestern Colorado and provides irrigation water for over 8,000 acres along with municipal water for Mesa Verde National park, the Mancos Rural Water Company and the Town of Mancos. A hydroelectric power plant has been added and provides power for approximately 50 homes in the vicinity.
JACKSON GULCH REHABILITATION PROJECT
Nearly 60 years ago, the Mancos Project irrigation canal was built, delivering water from Jackson Gulch Dam to residents, farms and businesses in Montezuma County. The Mancos Project is now badly in need or rehabilitation. United States Senators Wayne Allard and Ken Salazar introduced legislation to authorize more than $6 million in federal funding to help pay for the rehabilitation.
To view the full press release, visit Senator Salazar's. Similar articles were published May 31, 2007--Lawmakers seek $6M for Mancos water (Durango Herald) and June 1, 2007--Senators partner for Mancos water project funds (Farmington Daily Times). For copies of the original articles contact the WIP at (970) 247-1302 or stop by the office at 841 East Second Avenue in Durango.
Click here to view the full Jackson Gulch Rehabilitation Act of 2007.
We need your support of this Act!
Please contact your representatives today!!
For more information and/or to answer any questions contact Gary Kennedy at (970) 533-7325 or gary_mwcd@velocitynetdsl.com.
Mission
The mission of the Mancos Water Conservancy District is to provide irrigation
water for over 8,000 acres of agriculture, municipal water for Mesa Verde
National park, the Mancos Rural Water Company, and the Town of Mancos.
Management
Board of Directors include:
Brent Alexander, President
Kenneth Smith, Vice President
Victor Bruce, Secretary
Brent Alexander, Board Member
Felicity Broennan, Board Member
Victor Bruce, Board Member
Dee Graf, Board Member
Kenneth Smith, Board Member
Gary Kennedy, Superintendent
Related Links
- River Flows
- Snow Courses
- Mancos Weather
- Family Farm Alliance
Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD)
PAGOSA AREA WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT (PAWSD)
P.O. Drawer 4610
Pagosa Springs, CO 81157
(970) 731-2691
(970) 731-2693 [Fax]
Email PAWSD
BACKGROUND
The Pagosa Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD or the District) is a quasi-municipal corporation and a political subdivision of the State of Colorado originally formed in 1971 and reorganized in 1977. The District encompasses approximately 76 square miles in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. Included in its' boundaries are the Town of Pagosa Springs and unincorporated areas of Archuleta County. District revenues include: user charges; capital investment/water resource fees; availability of service charges; connection fees; and taxes. The District’s total 2005 certified assessed valuation was $172,592,789.
MISSION
The mission of the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District is to provide safe drinking water and wastewater services in an economical and environmentally responsible manner, and to educate the community with regard to water conservation, now and into the future.
MANAGEMENT
The Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District is governed by a five member Board of Directors who must be electors of the District as defined by state law and are elected to overlapping four year terms of office at successive biennial elections. Vacancies on the Board are filled by appointment of the remaining directors, the appointee to serve until the next regular election, at which time the vacancy is filled by election for any remaining unexpired portion of the term. The present Directors, their positions on the Board, and current terms of office are as follows:
Karen Wessels, Chairman and President (to May 2010)
Bob Huff, Vice President (to May 2008)
Windsor Chacey, Secretary/Treasurer (to May 2008)
Steve Hartvigsen, Vice President (to May 2008)
Harold Slavinski, Vice President (to May 2008)
The Board of Directors meets the second Tuesday of each month at the District office unless otherwise noticed. The Manager of the District, Carrie Campbell, is directly responsible to the Board of Directors and supervises all of the daily activities of the District staff.
RELATED LINKS
Pine River Irrigation District
PINE RIVER IRRIGATION DISTRICT (PRID)
13029 County Road 501
Bayfield, CO 81122
(970) 884-2558
(970) 884-0498[Fax]
e-mail prid@qwestoffice.net
BACKGROUND
MISSION
The mission of the PRID is covered under the 1921 Irrigation Act, C.S.R 3742.101-142.
MANAGEMENT
MEETING DATES AND TIMES
Next Quarterly meeting will be October 7, 2008 at the Oxford Grange 8018 Highway 172, Ignacio, CO 81137 at 7:00 pm.
Related Links
San Juan Water Conservancy District
SAN JUAN WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT (SJWCD)
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
(970) 731-2691
BACKGROUND
The Water Conservancy Act of 1937 authorized Colorado Water Conservancy Districts, of which the San Juan Water Conservancy District (SJWCD or District) is one of 46 in the State of Colorado. Conservancy Districts are local entities of State government. As such, they have taxing power, subject to voter approval, within prescribed limitations, may acquire and sell water, construct water resource projects, and in general do everything necessary to provide adequate water supplies for the area served. Local voter approval established the San Juan Water Conservancy District in 1987. The District includes much of Archuleta County, including the Town of Pagosa Springs and the majority of the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD) service area.
MISSION
The purpose of the San Juan Water Conservancy District is to conserve, maximize and utilize the water resources of the San Juan River and its tributaries, and that property within the District will be benefited by this purpose. Another primary function of the SJWCD is to address furture water supply needs within the District.
MANAGEMENT
The SJWCD is governed by a nine member Board of Directors who serve four-year terms. The Board adopts an annual budget based upon a mill levy. The present Directors, their positions on the Board, and current terms of office are as follows:
Jack Delange, Secretary/Treasurer (to March 2010)
Fred Ebeling, Director (to March 2010)
Mark Garcia, Director (to March 2008)
Harold Slavinski, Director (to November 2007)
Carrie Weiss, Director (to January 2009)
Karen Wessels, Director (to March 2008)
The Board meetings, which are open to the public, begin at 9:00 am the second Tuesday of each month at 100 Lyn Avenue in the PAWSD Board room.
RELATED LINKS
Southwestern Water Conservation District
SOUTHWESTERN WATER CONSERVATION DISRICT (SWCD)
POB 475
BACKGROUND
The Southwestern Water Conservation District (SWCD or District)
was created by the State of Colorado legislature through House Bill #795 which was approved by the General Assembly on April 16, 1941. The District serves the southwest Colorado counties of Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, San Juan, and San Miguel, as well as portions of Hinsdale, Mineral, and Montrose. The District is funded through a mill levy on real property.
Throughout the history of the SWCD, a number of significant accomplishments have occurred. The District has conducted a number of surveys of irrigable lands, domestic water needs and measurements of southwestern river flows. This information has been used to determine the necessary water needs for southwestern Colorado. As a result, several water storage reservoirs have been built to meet the water needs in southwest Colorado:
Other District supported projects have included water quality research in the Silverton area, assistance in funding a groundwater study for La Plata County, being an active participant in the 1988 Indian Water Rights Settlement agreement with the Colorado Ute Tribes and assisting in the San Juan River Recovery Implementation Program on the lower San Juan River.
The District has worked closely with the US Geological Survey (USGS) in monitoring stream flows in the region. An accurate history of water flows and river depths provides water users and reservoir operators the necessary information to manage the water supply in the San Juan and Dolores river basins. In addition, a number of "Sno-Tel" snow measurement stations are in operation to determine the water content in the mountain snowpack. This information will assist water managers and users predicting summer runoff, irrigation water quantities and domestic water supplies. SWCD has assisted many southwestern Colorado communities in developing their domestic water resources.
The SWCD has been an advocate for water resource conservation and development both in the region and before the U.S. Congress. Since federal legislation and congressional appropriations have a significant impact on the water resources and their development in southwest Colorado, the District has been a consistent voice for the interests of the counties, cities and residents that are within the District boundaries.
MISSION
The purpose of the Dstrict is many fold and includes surveying existing water resources and basin rivers, taking actions necessary to "secure and insure an adequate supply of water - present and future", constructing water reservoirs, entering into contracts with other water agencies, organizing special assessment districts (known as conservancy districts), providing for instream flows for fisheries and other legal responsibilities needed by the District to fulfill its purposes.
MANAGEMENT
The SWCD Board of Directors is appointed by the county commissioners from each of the southwestern Colorado counties in the San Juan and Dolores river basins. There are currently eight members of the Board and each serves a three-year term. This Board oversees the District, sets budgets and determines the actions that the water district takes. The Board of Directors, their positions, the county they represent, and their terms are:
Fred Kroeger, President, La Plata County (January 2009)
Larry Deremo, Vice-President, Dolores County (January 2010)
John Porter, Secretary/Treasurer, Montezuma County (January 2008)
Rodger August, Director, Archuleta County (January 2008)
Stephen Fearn, Director, San Juan County (January 2009)
April Montgomery, Director, San Miguel County (January 2008)
Monte Naslund, Director, Montrose County (January 2007)
John Taylor, Dirctor, Hinsdale County (January 2009)
RELATED LINKS
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Western Colorado Office
Pat Page, Group Chief (email)
Southern Water Managment Group
Western Colorado Area Office
835 E. 2nd Avenue Suite #300
Durango, CO 81301
Phone: (970) 385-6560
FAX : (970) 385-6539
Visit the USBR Website
Background
Mission
Management
Related Links
Programs & Services
Our Services
The Water Information Program has grown from a conceptual initiative into a fully implemented public information program. As an integrated model, the Water Information Program has demonstrated that local water districts and agencies can cooperate on public information.
Brochures
Approximately 20 brochures have been created by the Water Information Program covering a variety of topics. These topics include such subjects as water conservation, Colorado water law, irrigation issues, water information on the web, water agencies, buying irrigated property and many others. Some of these have been reprinted through the newsletter and featured on the web site. In 1998, a full color brochure was designed and features a full color map of southwest Colorado outlining the boundaries of the SWCD. All the local water reservoirs were depicted on the map and a brief history of water resources in southwest Colorado was included. Learn more & see available brochures & resource materials.
Conferences & Presentations
The Water Information Program has participated in numerous conferences and presentations. Some of the conferences have included the Colorado Water Congress, Colorado Water Workshop, and the SWCD Annual Water Seminar. We have also presented at many children's water festivals, public meetings and district events.
Exhibits
In order to present water information in public settings, conferences and meetings, the Water Information Program has two professional exhibits that include signs, graphics, and photos. The displays are also available for use by the participating entities involved in the program.
Newsletter
Each quarter, "The Water Letter" is published by the Water Information Program and mailed to over 1,000 individuals. Articles about emerging water issues in southwestern Colorado, interviews with water officials, upcoming events and local water district sponsored activities are included in each issue. Learn more & sign up for our newsletter.
Outreach Coordinator
A full-time outreach Coordinator is available to present water-related information at various events (e.g., conferences, meetings, workshops, etc.) and to provide technical and non-technical assistance to participating entities on water-related projects. Sample outreach projects include, but are not limited to: assistance with Water Conservation plans, as well as website enhancements and brochure updates; grant-writing; and work on xeric demonstration projects. Outreach assistance is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Press Clippings
Since water issues are reported daily, it is very important that these are summarized for use by decision makers. On a twice per month basis, the Water Information Program provides a summary of news articles to approximately one hundred subscribers. The bi-monthly summary lists the date, article, reporter, newspaper, and quotes from seventeen daily and weekly papers. View latest press clippings.
Website
The Water Information Program website, www.waterinfo.org, is the premier, on-line source for information and links to local, regional, national, and international water-related sites.
Contact WIP
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