HomeMy WebLinkAbout20010722.tiff STATE OF COLORADO
OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Den. nr oaHaluial 3o„ui�o
1313 Sherman Street, Room 718
Denver,Colorado 80 80203
Phone: (303) 866-3311
TDD: (303)866-3543 DEPARTMENT OF
Fax: (303)866-2115 March 7, 2001 NATURAL
Mike Geile RESOURCES
Weld County Council,Chairperson Bill Owens
915-10th Street Governor
Greg E.Walcher
Greeley, CO 80632 Executive Director
Dear Commissioner Geile:
As you know, Colorado suffered a dry spring and record-breaking summer heat which led to
drought conditions. These conditions are a poignant reminder of the need for more water storage in
this arid State.
Dry conditions have hit Coloradans hard. Rivers in some basins are lower than ever before
and demand for irrigation water has drained several key reservoirs. Thirty-three counties have sought
federal disaster relief and several West Slope communities placed restrictions on lawn watering,
showers and even toilet flushing. In December of 1999, Governor Owens convened a state-wide
conference on flood and drought preparedness. There, the question became not"if' but"when"
Colorado will enter another severe, long-term drought like the dust bowl of the 1930s or the drought
of the 1950s. Only water storage provides adequate protection against these natural disasters.
The Colorado Water Conservation Board recently surveyed communities to judge state-wide
preparedness for drought and found that less than half of 67 Colorado cities surveyed have done any
kind of drought planning. If dry conditions persist throughout the winter,Colorado could be in
serious trouble. Conservation measures help stretch limited supplies, but conservation alone may not
be enough.
The most certain drought protection is a long-term water supply through storage. At
Governor Owens' flood and drought conference,the Army Corps of Engineers calculated reservoirs
have saved Coloradans $19.8 billion from natural disasters like floods and droughts. That equates to
a six dollar savings for every dollar spent on reservoirs for flood control and drought mitigation.
For these reasons, I have attached a map of potential reservoir sites, both state-wide and in
your county, for your review. Also included is a compact disc which provides important information
from the Governor's flood and drought conference. I hope you will find these items useful as you
consider the importance of water supplies for your constituents. If we may be of assistance please
feel free to contact me or Kent Holsinger of my staff.
Sincerely,
1 �-. Greg Walcher, /L Ce1%tS
�c :se'i1l Cf
Executive Director
3.- ly- accl
2001-0722
7
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Oil &Gas Conservation Commission • Colorado State Parks• State Forest Service
Wafer Conservation Board • Division of Water Resources • Division of Wildlife
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r Vy Denver, Colorado 80203
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