HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 03/02/2021 - STAFF REPORT: CACHE LA POUDRE INSTREAM FLOW PROJEC1
John Stokes , Interim Director of Community Services
Eric Potyondy, City of Fort Collins, Assistant City Attorney
Poudre Flows
Plan
Update and
Next Steps
Origins and Partners
Poudre Flows Plan began in 2013 in the
“Poudre Runs Through It” working group.
Current Partners are:
•Colorado Water Trust
•City of Fort Collins
•City of Greeley
•City of Thornton
•Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District
•Cache la Poudre Water Users Association
•Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB)
•Colorado Parks and Wildlife
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Goal
Goal:Improve flows in the Poudre River
•Council Strategic Objectives 4.5 and 4.6
•Where:from the canyon mouth to the
South Platte River
•When:needed to improve river’s
ecological health
•Sideboard:no injury to water rights
and operations
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Augmentation Plan
Augmentation Plan:legal mechanism being used
•New approach to instream flows
•More flexible than historical approaches
•CWCB and Water Court approval required
House Bill 20-1037:clarifies these plans
•Bipartisan and near unanimous in 2020
•Thanks to bill sponsors: Sen. Don Coram (R)
and Rep. Jeni Arndt (D)
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New Water Added to the River
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Target Flows and Seed Water
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Targeted flows vary by reach
•Depend on river conditions
•Depend on fish species
Partners adding water to date:
•Fort Collins
•Greeley
•Thornton
Next Steps
CWCB Approval: DONE
Water Court Approval:
•Application to be filed in March / April 2021
•2-3 years anticipated
Implementation:
•Agreement with partners
•Funding
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Questions?
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