A Case Study of Impacts from 2002 Drought

By Jason Ward, P.E., Ph.D.

Record low flows in East Elk Creek and the Spring Creek Wildfire severely strained the Town of New Castle's sole source of water supply during the 2002 drought.  As a result, the Town was prompted to review its current water rights portfolio and pursue emergency water supply alternatives.

Over the past 10 years, the Town of New Castle has experienced over 200 percent growth with a current population of approximately 2,300.  With this recent growth has come increased demand on the Town?s water supply.  In an average water year, the Town is able to support its current and projected demands with the flow in East Elk Creek and its decreed water rights.  However, in a drought situation such as occurred in 2002, low creek flows have threatened the reliability of this source.  Administration of water rights downstream of the Town?s point of diversion on East Elk Creek has threatened to ?dry up? significant portions of the Town?s water supply.  Adverse affects of sediment and ash-laden runoff from the burned watershed are an additional threat to this water source.

Following the 2002 drought, the Town reviewed its current water rights and augmentation plan to determine alternatives that would alleviate the pressures of drought, water rights administration, and poor water quality from the East Elk Creek watershed.  The selected alternative was to develop existing water rights in the Colorado River to provide an emergency source of water.  Plans were made to construct a raw water diversion structure and pump station on the Colorado River to offset administrative calls and water quality issues on Elk Creek.  The Town requested and was awarded grants from the Colorado River Water Conservation District and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to assist in funding the project.  Construction of the pump station and pipeline commenced January 2004 and is anticipated to be completed by summer 2004.

The adverse impacts of drought and fire on primary water supplies were not uncommon to municipalities across Colorado during the 2002 drought.  The Town of New Castle has taken a proactive approach in reviewing their water rights and augmentation plan in an attempt to alleviate the effects of future droughts.  Fortunately, the Town was able to utilize existing water rights and change their augmentation plan to provide an alternate emergency source of water.  This case study provides an example of the importance for municipalities to maintain and develop robust water right portfolios and augmentation plans to protect the reliability of critical water supplies.

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