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UPPER ARKANSAS WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT
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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Resources
  • Meet Our People
  • Augmentation
    • Augmentation Services
    • Reading Your Water Meter
    • Submit Your Meter Reading
    • Update Contact Info
    • Payments
    • Augmentation Data Login
  • Meeting Information
    • Public Notices & Meetings
  • Our Water
    • WATER TALKS PODCAST
    • Local Water News
    • Projects
    • Water Resource Data
  • News & Information
    • Water Terms
    • Calendar
    • Links & Resources
  • WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM

​AUGMENTATION 

What is Augmentation?

​The interaction between groundwater and surface water has long been recognized here in Colorado. Due to this interaction, the out-of-priority use of water for uses such as: residential wells, commercial wells, and lawns, can deplete surface water levels (streams, creeks, ponds and rivers) that injure senior water rights. To prevent injury and to ensure our river and streams remain whole, augmentation replaces water into a stream due to losses from out-of-priority usage.

​The District’s blanket augmentation plan protects water rights in the Upper Arkansas River Valley and plays an important role with keeping our river and streams whole and our valley green. At the same time, our augmentation plan provides our customers with a cost-effective and efficient solution for their water augmentation needs.

Why Do I Need Augmentation Water? 

The concept of augmentation was developed with the passage of a Colorado Law in 1969 called the "Adjudication and Administration Act".  Among other things, this law integrated surface water and tributary ground water to be administered under the Colorado Doctrine of Appropriation. ​​In the Arkansas Basin, an over appropriated system, judicially decreed water rights are seldom allowed to divert water or "pump" water if the date of their decree is junior (more recent) than 1890. However, with the passage of the "1969 Act", a system was designed to allow for use of water 'out of priority' if the user developed a decreed plan to replace all water consumed. This replacement plan is called an augmentation plan. An augmentation plan requires that the amount of water consumed must be placed into the stream impacted by the water use by time and amount. 

How Does it Work?  

When a person or business needs to replace water depleted through their out-of-priority well use they can purchase water augmentation from the District through participation in our blanket augmentation plan. The District takes care of the rest by managing and administering the releases of water.
​

Benefits to Our Customers
  • Cost-Effectiveness: The majority of other augmentation plans in our region are private, typically are more expensive to create and take a considerable amount of time and other resources. When choosing the UAWCD for your augmentation needs, you will undoubtedly be saving money  and time.
  • Accessibility: Customers within our service area simply apply at our local office in Salida, Colorado. We have a streamlined application process and management system which means less hassle for our customers who are in need of an augmentation water right.
  • Attainability:  The District has gone to great lengths to preserve water for future use. Water reserves are readily available to meet growing demands, including your water augmentation needs.
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CONNECT

P.O. Box 1090
339 E. HWY 50
Salida, CO 81201

Phone: 719-539-5425
Fax: 719-539-7579

Hours:
9:00am- 12:00pm
1:00pm - 4:30pm

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UAWCD Technology Accessibility Statement
​UAWCD is committed to providing equitable access to our services to all Coloradans.
Our ongoing accessibility effort works towards being in line with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1, level AA criteria. These guidelines not only help make technology accessible to users with sensory, cognitive and mobility disabilities, but ultimately to all users, regardless of ability.
Our efforts are just part of a meaningful change in making all State of Colorado and local government services inclusive and accessible. We welcome comments on how to improve our technology’s accessibility for users with disabilities and for requests for accommodations to any UAWCD services.
Requests for accommodations and feedback
We welcome your requests for accommodations and feedback about the accessibility of UAWCD’s online services. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers. UAWCD is committed to responding as quickly as possible.
E-mail: [email protected]
Mail: P.O. Box 1090, Salida, CO 81201
Phone: 719-539-5425 (Written requests are preferred. If you are unable to submit your request in writing, you are welcome to contact us by telephone at this number.)