Summary of Opportunities

Actions to protect against out-of-basin diversions

1. On-the-ground actions to protect Basin in long term from compact calls and TMDs – e.g., better measurement of use and flow, protect return flow patterns from irrigation, strategic environmental flow targets/rights, strategic storage, endangered fish programs, etc.

Tech assistance/ drought planning for Ag shortages

2. Develop ideas to minimize future ag shortages and associated impacts, such as: (1) regional ag drought plans/options, and/or (2) technical assistance for soil health and irrigation management to improve efficiency without negatively impacting yields.

Existing reservoir repairs and/or operations

3. Support reservoir owners’ efforts to repair (Stillwater) existing reservoirs and/or review operations (Elkhead) of existing reservoirs.

Explore irrigation efficiency and return flows

4. Explore irrigation efficiency impacts/benefits (ditch and water application) and the contribution of return flows to late season base flows in particular locations.

Regional infrastructure upgrades

5. Explore ag infrastructure upgrades at regional scale, for maximum strategic impact, either through an existing entity (e.g., water conservancy district or resource conservation district) or new entity (e.g., cooperative ditch company structure).

Funding and Project Development Assistance

6. Support ag users with grant information and application assistance, e.g., through Ag funding coordinator.

Cost-sharing for infrastructure upgrades

7. Address need for cost-sharing mechanisms to pay for infrastructure upgrades such as irrigation efficiency projects & diversion infrastructure.

Water quality reporting and advocacy

8. Improve/invest in basin’s capacity to monitor and collect data, regularly report and share data, advocate to CDPHE, etc.

Planning for future shortages in smaller districts/towns

9. Explore whether municipal suppliers, especially smaller water districts, are prepared to meet demands in a drier future, and help rural water providers and well owners better understand risks.

Promote efficient water use

10. Support campaigns and trainings for M&I and Ag users to adopt water efficiency measures

Low flows/ shortages

11. Identify the locations/times of year that experience consistent low flows (now and in future) and work towards quantifying what flows would be needed and identifying strategies to meet them.

Riparian restoration and bank stabilization

12. Identify and launch existing and potential programs for incentivizing healthy riparian areas/floodplain connection that also help with stabilizing banks near diversion infrastructure.

Remove invasive plant species

13. Particularly on Lower Yampa, study what species are of concern, and where are the most troublesome areas. Increase support for Routt and Moffat county weed programs and Leafy Spurge Project.

Fish species restoration

14. Use GEI fisheries study (early 2021) to confirm whether fish populations are in decline throughout Basin. If so, work to address this in ways that support other user needs (e.g., Ag).

Increase/improve rec access and conditions

15. Explore ways to improve boating/fishing conditions and access while discouraging overuse – i.e., ID areas where increased access will provide economic benefits to underserved locations and help disperse recreational use. Consider workgroup to 1) consider what, if any, principles should guide expansion of rec access, and 2) propose project ideas to IWMP committee.

Promote holistic understanding of river uses and impacts

16. Educate consumptive water users about how use may impact and/or benefit downstream users, env/rec needs and communities.

Facilitate discussions among water users to address specific issues

17. Promote discussions on management and/or use of water to satisfy multiple needs. Examples could include: 1) engaging M&I users on how efficiency or water management practices could benefit E&R users; 2) future use of retiring coal plant water rights.

Explore additional storage needs

18. Explore whether there is a clear purpose and set of users that new storage could serve, despite the sense that shortages are not having widespread impacts. Consider additional factors such as how future changes in hydrology affect the potential need for new storage, and a possible need to interview tributary water users.

Ag water rights and administration concerns

19. Education on how to protect ag water rights as an asset and on alternative uses, including leasing.

Ag reporting and administration needs

20. Assist water users with measuring and reporting their data, while seeking to better understand what aspects of administration are the most challenging (i.e., communication/relationship with DWR, lack of understanding about water rights, concerns about change, etc).

Support smaller water providers’ understanding of drought planning & administration

21. Investigate more thoroughly the knowledge, priorities and challenges of small M&I providers and special districts.

Facilitate mutual education between Ag and E&R users

22. Facilitate mutual education/awareness and positive interactions between rec users and ag water users (especially considering many rec users are not locals). Address any ‘hot spots’ of conflict including remediable hazards such as barbed wire.