Studies and Reports
Energy Needs, Climate Change and More
The waters of Western Colorado face constant political, legal, cultural and natural challenges and events that affect the quality and quantity of this most vital natural resource.
The River District works on behalf of its nearly half-million constituents to monitor these happenings and to protect the interests of this region.
This section of the website provides studies and reports regarding major issues that are shaping Western Colorado's water outlook and can be downloaded or received by request.
(3MB 144 page .pdf) This report estimates the water demands needed to support the extraction and production of natural gas, coal, uranium, and oil shale in northwest Colorado. The report was conducted in conformance with the legislative intent specified in House Bill 05-1177 and supported by the Colorado and Yampa/White River Roundtables. These Roundtables are seeking to use data and information from this study, in conjunction with the Statewide Water Supply Initiative and other appropriate sources, to assist with the development of a basin-wide consumptive and nonconsumptive water supply needs assessment.
(1MB .pdf)
NOTE: This draft report is subject to revision, has been approved by the Colorado River Basin Roundtable and is under review by the Yampa/White Basin Roundtable. To comment contact Dan Birch (970-945-8522, ext. 239) or by email or Greg Trainor (970-244-1564) or by email. Please include "Energy Report" in the subject line.
(7 MB 58 page .pdf)
The report is an assessment of Colorado climate change authored by scientists at NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory, the University of Colorado at Boulder, and Colorado State University. The CU-NOAA Western Water Assessment was produced for state water planners and provides scientific information on temperature, precipitation, snowmelt, and runoff for Colorado.
15 Mile Reach Report (March 2008) The "15 Mile Reach" of the Colorado River, a segment stretching east of Grand Junction for 15 miles, is important habitat for the four endangered fish species on whose behalf significant efforts are being made to recover their dwindling populations. This report examines a number of the criteria upon which recovery efforts are based. (229 page 7MB .pdf file) - Ecological and physical processes during spring peak flow and summer baseflows in the 15-Mile Reach of the Colorado River. March 31, 2008
(461 page 4 MB .pdf file) - Technical Appendices. March 31, 2008
(34 page 4 MB .pdf file) March 31, 2008
A Hydraulic and Geomorphic Analysis of Step-Pool Structures This study was conducted to identify the geomorphic and hydraulic characteristics of natural step-pool structures in steep mountain channels. Design procedures for the installation of boulder-step structures were developed, providing guidance for integrating step-pool structures as functioning, low-maintenance channel restoration/rehabilitation components.
(1 MB Word doc)
Wolcott Reservoir Feasibility Assessment (June 2004) A proposed reservoir that would provide benefits to both East and West Slope interests has been evaluated in a Phase I Feasibility Assessment written by Grand River Consulting and GEI Consultants, Inc. This study evaluates three pumped storage reservoir scenarios ranging in size from 55,000 acre-feet to 105,000 acre-feet. (9MB, 108 page .pdf file)
Yampa River Basin Sedimentation Study These three reports explore the relationship between streamflows and deposition of sediments with regards to how this affects the habitat of endangered fish species in the Green and Yampa Rivers.
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