HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 06/15/19844
WATER BOARD MINUTES
June 15, 1984
MEMBERS PRESENT Ward Fischer, Norm Evans, Henry Caulfield, Neil Grigg, Tom
Moore, Tom Sanders, Dave Stewart, Bernie Cain, Mary Lou
Smith (alt.), Mort Bittinger (alt.)
STAFF PRESENT Mike Smith, Roger Krempel, Dennis Bode, Ben Alexander, Andy
Pineda, Paul Eckman, Assistant City Attorney
MEMBERS ABSENT Ev Richardson, Ray Glabach (both excused)
Minutes
The minutes of May 18, 1984 were approved.
Ward Fischer turned the meeting over to Vice Chairman Norm Evans. Since this
was Mr. Fischer's last meeting, he thought it would be more appropriate for
Mr. Evans to preside.
Ward Fischer asked if all the interviews for prospective Water Board members
has been conducted. Roger Krempel said that he wasn't certain of the timing.
Of those from the present board who had reapplied, Mary Lou Smith and Mort
Bittinger had been interviewed. Norm Evans had not been interviewed yet. The
appointments are to be announced by the first part of July.
Consideration of Redrafted Policies
Norm Evans asked for comments on the redrafted policies.
Ward Fischer asked that the revisions of the rate section be left out until
the rate study is completed. Neil Grigg moved that the Board consider the
rate section of the policies later when the rate study is finished. Tom Moore
seconded the motion. After discussion, the vote in favor of the motion was
unanimous.
It was proposed that 1-e in the policies read: "The City will continue to
work with other municipalities, water districts, 'mutual irrigation companies'
and the Cache La Poudre Water User's Association ---" Also, under 10-f,
"further in-house features as well as" would be inserted after "such as."
Henry Caulfield moved approval of the policies as amended. Neil Grigg
provided a second, and the motion was approved unanimously.
Committee Reports
Neil Grigg announced that his committee, Tom Sanders, Ray Glabach and Norm
Evans had reviewed the scope of work for the rate study. As yet, they have
not heard from Council members. They will meet again after the consultant
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Water Board Minutes
June 15, 1984
tabulates the results of
Study Committee said that
Caulfield, Mort Bittinger
drought study.
New Business
Halligan Dam
the survey. Mary Lou Smith, Chairman of the Drought
her committee comprised of Ev Richardson, Henry
and Norm Evans, also reviewed the scope of the
Board members were given copies of a report on "Preliminary Evaluation of Use
of Roller Compacted Concrete at the Halligan Dam Site." Halligan Dam is in
Larimer County on the North Fork of the Poudre River and is owned by the North
Poudre Irrigation Co. According to the report, the dam was constructed in the
early 1900's as a Cyclopean Masonary Circular Arch structure about 95 feet
high. At normal pool elevation the reservoir stores approximately 6400 acre
-
feet. The State Engineer is requiring modifications to the structure in order
to meet current standards for passing floods. The consultant was asked to
look at Halligan with the possibilities of either raising the existing dam or
construction of a new dam. The purpose of the study was to assess the
feasibility of using roller compacted concrete in raising the existing dam or
in constructing a new dam downstream. Three alternative alignments were
examined. The report explores all of these alternatives. Norm Evans was the
Water Board representative at a meeting discussing the Halligan Dam Site.
Roger Krempel related that about mid 1983, the Judson family acquired ranch
land around the reservoir. He said that this area could be a suitable
Anheuser-Busch water resource project. Currently, the City has little water
yield information on the project, but it has aroused the City's interest.
Over the winter, the staff learned about the new construction technique for
dams using roller compacted concrete. Mike Smith noted the IECO also looked
at an arched dam option. Mr. Smith said that the consultants looked at the
Rockwell Dam site at the same time that Halligan was examined. The results
for the Rockwell site are available and Mr. Smith will share that report at a
later date.
The question was asked if there is enough water there to make the project
feasible. The capacity of the reservoir could be about 25,000 acre-feet, but
the basin would not yield that much every year. The cost per acre foot of
storage comes to about $200-$300. Roger Krempel added that this site
consideration fits in with the drought study. The City staff has met with the
head of the North Poudre Irrigation Company. It should be noted that the City
currently has about 10% of North Poudre shares. As a hedge against drought,
Halligan is probably a much more appealing project than some others. There is
also a possibility of hydro -electric generation.
The staff will prepare some information perhaps by the July Water board
meeting. The Board could consider it then. It should be stressed, however,
that the information would only provide indicators. No answers would be
available until 1985. Perhaps a joint meeting of the Fort Collins Water Board
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Water Board Minutes
June 15, 1984
and the North Poudre Board could be arranged for later this summer when the
two Boards could discuss Halligan Reservoir and other items of mutual
interest.
Neil Grigg said that this sounds like an attractive opportunity. He hopes
that what would be put together would be an intensive look. He also suggested
that the City investigate the benefits of ways of involving private
enterprise.
Henry Caulfield knows about the Judson property near Halligan Reservoir. He
said that it is the same property that is being considered in the Phantom
Canyon proposal as a state park. Actually a consortium of investors owns the
land near the North Poudre property. Mr. Caulfield suggested looking at the
project as a possible recreation site too. He said that North Poudre is ready
to lease recreation rights to the Judsons.
Tom Sanders asked if the City could pipe Poudre water over there. Ben
Alexander said that the very thick high ridge that would have to be bored
through makes it unfeasible.
Ward Fishcer agreed that it would be a good idea to meet with the North Poudre
Board. He said that the North Poudre president mentioned that they have some
old hydrology studies, but he doesn't know how good they are.
Roger Krempel stressed that the City must keep the decrees for the Narrows
project in mind. Would there be enough water to put in Halligan? Also what
is the potential for reuse?
Ward Fischer sited water law history. He suggested that we could say the
project is for newly developed east slope water. The three types of new water
are:
... transbasin foreign waters
... non -tributary waters
... new dams collecting flood water
There is an 80% chance that we could call the water reusable. Ward Fischer
went on to say that there is a good chance that the Narrows project won't be
built. The next time that the Narrows decree is up for another diligence
finding, the City should oppose it.
Mary Lou Smith asked if this project would invoke any community concern. Roger
Krempel responded that more people would favor it. It, like Joe Wright
Reservoir, would be used for dry year storage rather than annual water supply.
Norm Evans commented that the roller compacted technique is being given a lot
of attention in engineering circles. Mike Smith said that the consultant also
looked at the feasibility and cost of building a concrete arch dam at one of
the sites.
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Water Board Minutes
June 15, 1984
Henry Caulfield asked the staff
there are about selling to the
information be used as a basis
to check on how serious the landowners up
state. Tom Sanders suggested that this
for the joint meeting too.
The staff will prepare a preliminary report on Halligan for the next Water
Board meeting as well as trying to arrange a joint meeting with the North
Poudre Board.
Roger Krempel announced that because of a reorganization by the City Manager,
he will soon function as a consultant for special environmental projects for
the City such as hazardous wastes and a number of other areas. When his new
position is finalized, he will no longer be Public Works Director.
Ward Fischer was recognized for his 21+ years as Chairman of the Water Board
with a plaque and testimony from his colleagues.
Roger Krempel, Director of Public Works, presented a plaque to Ward Fischer.
Attached to the plaque was a gavel, a symbol of his extraordinary leadership
of the Water Board for more than 21 years. Mr. Krempel emphasized that,
although Mr. Fischer has made a monumental contribution to the citizens of
Fort Collins, what he has accomplished in not widely known in the City. He
has given unselfishly with a genuine concern for the welfare of the people of
Fort Collins. Mr. Krempel feels it is about time that people were aware of
the important part Mr. Fischer has played in the water history of the City.
Mr. Fischer responded to the Board and staff with a deep feeling of gratitude
for their kind remarks. "I can't say that giving 21 years to the Water Board
has been much of a sacrifice. There is no job I have enjoyed more than
working with water persons. It has been a great pleasure! Anytime I can be
of service, just ask."
The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
Daterer Board