Water Master Planning

WWC staff has been involved in extensive water resource planning efforts including the City of Greeley’s Water Master Plan. Greeley’s water system is very complex as it integrates water supplies from three river basins (Poudre, Colorado and Big Thompson) at two water treatment plants. Analysis included evaluating Greeley’s future growth scenarios and balancing water demands with water supplies available within and outside of its growth boundaries that could be integrated into Greeley’s raw water system. Both potable and non-potable water demands were considered as well as the potential integration of wholly consumable effluent into Greeley’s long-range water supply plans. Demand projections included potential savings in future water demands through conservation efforts. The use of the MODSIM model by WWC staff has provided planning level analysis of Greeley’s current and potential future water right and storage portfolio and given Greeley staff and Water Board the ability to evaluate different options for adding yield to the water system. As the firm yield for different raw water options was determined, financial considerations were overlaid to determine the impact to current and future ratepayers as well as to new development.

Master Planning efforts have a large number of facets that require both practical experience and the appropriate technical analysis is being performed. Practical experience helps to assure the right questions are being asked and adequately answered.  The appropriate technical analysis must consider the complexity of the problem to be analyzed as well as the level of accuracy of the information used within the technical analysis. An effective Master Planning effort also requires effective communication with staff and advisory boards/councils such that each group feels they are part of the Master Plan development and have surety that the process has been well thought out and has considered the different entities’ goals and objectives. Future updates/re-evaluation of the Water Master Plan must be considered periodically to determine if the current direction for adding water supplies is still the best option considering changes in variables such as goals and objectives for the water provider, water supply and storage availability, cost, regulatory changes and level of service.

Project Specific Water Planning Support/Analysis

WWC has provided project specific water supply planning analysis including evaluation of exchange analysis on river systems, estimates of future potable and non-potable water demands, water balance analysis comparing the timing of potable and non-potable supply availability to potable and non-potable demands. WWC is very familiar with analyzing and interpreting State of Colorado Water Resource Division records to develop historic yield of reservoir or ditch rights as well as river flow analysis (i.e. point flow analysis).

WWC has experience with applying computer simulation models for evaluating water supply projects and their impacts as required for developing an Environmental Impact Statement under the NEPA process. WWC’s project experience includes working for applicants and regulators.

Water Supply Acquisition Support

WWC provides water supply acquisition support including quantifying historic yield of ditch shares, historic consumptive use based on acreage, cropping patterns, soil types and irrigation methods. WWC can also analyze existing water court cases to determine how these apply to potential acquisition of new water supplies.

Water System/River Modeling

WWC can perform water resource modeling with numerous computer tools (Excel Spreadsheets, MODSIM, RiverWare, etc.). Prior to performing modeling work, WWC meets with clients to understand the current and planned future modeling needs, so the right tool is used and the client is not paying for a more complex model than required to perform the requested analysis. WWC also works with clients as the model is being built to be sure the model is being constructed correctly. It is important to understand the level of analysis possible from a water resource model given the type/accuracy of source data available and the number of variables affecting the model results.

Water Court Engineering Support

WWC can perform water court engineering support including:

• Consumptive Use Quantification – WWC has utilized the IDS Consumptive Use Model to determine historic consumptive use values for irrigation rights.
• Development of Engineering Report – Engineering reports give an overview of the historic use of the water rights in question, the methodology utilized in calculating the historic consumptive use and the proposed operations and accounting for the water supplies including return flow obligations as part of the water court proceeding. Calculations of Volumetric Limitations on future operations have been developed as part of the proposed future operations and accounting.
• Decree Accounting – WWC has developed detailed accounting packages in Excel Spreadsheets to be used in the operation and accounting of water supplies taken through the Colorado Water Court process.