Planning for the Future
Water is a limited resource. This is a fact of life in Colorado.
In the Upper Arkansas River Basin we annually have an average of 12 inches of precipitation or less. The timing of precipitation also varies throughout the year. Rivers and streams rise with spring run-off from snowmelt and flows reduce significantly during the hot summer months, making it essential to manage our water prudently throughout the year.
The Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District has been effective at managing our water resources and planning for the future since our inception. We continue to diversify and expand our system of water resources to make certain that we will continue to protect water rights in the Upper Arkansas River Basin while also maintaining a viable water supply now and into the future. There are several areas of importance that the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District is involved in to ensure a secure water supply in the Upper Arkansas River Basin including: storage, augmentation, integrated water management, legal & engineering activities and education.
In the Upper Arkansas River Basin we annually have an average of 12 inches of precipitation or less. The timing of precipitation also varies throughout the year. Rivers and streams rise with spring run-off from snowmelt and flows reduce significantly during the hot summer months, making it essential to manage our water prudently throughout the year.
The Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District has been effective at managing our water resources and planning for the future since our inception. We continue to diversify and expand our system of water resources to make certain that we will continue to protect water rights in the Upper Arkansas River Basin while also maintaining a viable water supply now and into the future. There are several areas of importance that the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District is involved in to ensure a secure water supply in the Upper Arkansas River Basin including: storage, augmentation, integrated water management, legal & engineering activities and education.
Storage: The Key to Water Supply
Unfortunately, nature does not distribute its water resources evenly with regard to either location or time of need. Some years water is more plentiful, and storage allows water managers to capture excess water when available, then hold it until it is required at a later date. As our population grows; storage, including alluvial (underground) storage, will continue to be an essential aspect of managing our water resources effectively in the Upper Arkansas Basin.
Augmentation
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.
Integrated Water Management
The District works with cities, towns and other entities to coordinate the use of water through water storage projects and integrated water management efforts. UAWCD's 3000 square mile service area and diverse infrastructure overlaps numerous political and geographical boundaries. This along with experienced staff and consultants uniquely positions the District to manage and coordinate water supplies and deliveries to meet diverse demands in the Upper Arkansas River Basin.
Legal and Engineering
A major component of the District's efforts to protect water rights in the Upper Arkansas Basin are our legal and engineering activities including water change cases proposed by other entities. The District is regularly involved with the monitoring and litigation of these very important and costly change cases to protect water for people in the Upper Arkansas Valley.
The Upper District is vigilant for the Upper Arkansas Basin by challenging legislation that may threaten the availability and use of the Upper Arkansas River water supply.
The Upper District is vigilant for the Upper Arkansas Basin by challenging legislation that may threaten the availability and use of the Upper Arkansas River water supply.