We love a good reservoir spilling photo here at Coyote Gulch. Here’s a picture of Long Draw Reservoir spilling in 2010. Click on the thumbnail graphic to the right for a larger view.
Day: July 12, 2011
Energy policy — hydroelectric: Aspen’s Maroon Creek micro-hydroelectric plant generates 2.7 percent of the city’s supply on average
From the Aspen Daily News (Curtis Wackerle):
Total capital costs on the plant, from the original construction through today, including the Deane buyout, equal $1.33 million, according to the city. Combined with operating costs of $182,500 since 1994, that brings total Maroon Creek plant expenses to $1.51 million…
Since the new turbine was installed and the necessary repairs completed, Maroon Creek hydro has supplied an average of 2.7 percent of the city electric utility’s power. Numerous factors, including natural streamflow and maintenance issues, determine how much power the plant can generate on an annual basis, but the number has reached as high as 2.27 million kwh in 2007 and as low as 1.1 million kwh in 2010…
The city transfers the electricity to the Holy Cross Energy grid, and is given a credit for the power on its monthly bill from the Nebraska utility — the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN). Over the life of the plant, the price the city has paid for MEAN power averages out at 3.8 cents per kwh, which brings the value of the Maroon Creek energy transfer at $990,000 since 1994. The price of MEAN power — and thus the city’s reimbursement rate for its hydropower — continues to rise and currently averages about 5.5 cents per kwh, Overeynder said. The city also saves money from the power it generates by not being charged “wheeling” and “facilities” fees. Wheeling refers to the cost of transferring MEAN power from Nebraska, and the Maroon Creek plant has saved $107,136 in those fees over the 16 years since good records have been kept…
When the plant was originally proposed, environmental concerns about streamflow were raised, just as they have been with the current Castle Creek plan. The city ended up amending its original proposal for the Maroon Creek plant, which would have left a minimum of 8 cfs in the creek, upping the minimum streamflow to 14 cfs.
More hydroelectric coverage here
and here.
Dacono: New water conservation plan available for public comment
From the Carbon Valley Farmer & Miner (Emily Dougherty):
A draft of the new conservation plan is available for public comment at City Hall and on the city’s website, www.ci.dacono.co.us. The idea of the plan is to conserve as much water as possible today and set up a system for smart water use in the future. While Dacono’s population is 4,200 people, the plan predicts the city to grow significantly, with a final build out of 56,000 people…
The plan details Dacono’s water system, past and future water use, planned capital improvement projects and the water conservation planning process used in accordance with Colorado Water Conservation Board’s Water Conservation Plan guidelines and policies. According to Clear Water Solution’s research, in 2010, Dacono water customers used approximately 158 million gallons, or 483 acre-feet of water. By 2021, which is the end of the planning horizon for the conservation plan, it is projected that Dacono will need to provide approximately 209 million gallons of water…
To compliment these efforts, the plan includes a list of conservation measures and programs, such as water-efficient fixtures and appliances, including toilets and clothes washers, low-water use landscapes, drought resistant vegetation, water-efficient industrial and commercial water use processes, water reuse systems, and incentives to implement conservation techniques, including rebates to customers. Residents are encouraged to review the water conservation plan, online or at City Hall…
Comments should be sent to the city of Dacono, 512 Cherry St., attention: Kelly Stroh, finance manager. The document is open for public comment through Aug. 14.
More conservation coverage here.
North American Monsoon news: All of Colorado is under a flash flood watch or setting up for minor flooding
Click on the thumbnail graphic to the right for a screenshot of the Colorado Flood Threat Bulletin this morning at around 5:30 a.m. from the Colorado Water Conservation Board Flood DSS. Here’s a report from The Durango Herald (Dale Rodebaugh). From the article:
The current flash-flood watch, which covers all of western Colorado and eastern Utah, says 1 to 2 inches of rain per hour can be expected. The annual monsoon season, the regular late-day showers that douse the area, began with precipitation during the Fourth of July weekend…
“Six inches of fast-moving water can knock most adults off their feet,” Pringle said. “One foot of water can float 1,500 pounds, which means that 2 feet of water can lift most vehicles – big trucks excluded.” The vast majority of people who have died in flash foods across the country in recent years have been in a vehicle, [Jim Pringle a National Weather Service forecaster] said.
Fountain Creek: Crews are installing a sediment collector in the creek just upstream of the confluence with the Arkansas River
From The Pueblo Chieftain (Chris Woodka):
The collector, which is sort of like a giant vacuum cleaner, was to be installed Monday, but one of two track hoes being used to move the collector into place broke down. Work should be completed today. A crowd of people, mostly city employees or contractors on the $835,000 project, came and went throughout the day. It was like watching kids with big toys playing in a sandbox as the equipment scooped out a hole to fit specifications for the collector.
The sediment collector is a 30-foot-long, 24,000-pound piece of machinery that has a variable speed motor capable of pumping up to 480 gallons of slurry per minute. It will be installed near the out-of-service railroad bridge just upstream from the Arkansas River confluence. The variable speed motor inside the collector will operate at speeds in sync with information provided over a satellite relay from the Fountain Creek stream gauge at the north end of Pueblo. The machine connects to two pipelines, one which suctions out the muddy sediment and another which injects water so that sand doesn’t plug up the machine. The high-capacity design represents a substantial boost in capability from other units made by [Streamside Systems]…
The project is needed to restore the capacity of Pueblo’s levee system, which was constructed in the 1980s to prevent the sort of costly flooding seen in the 1965 flood, said Dennis Maroney, a stormwater consultant…
In the event of a major flood, the unit would not be lost — Fountain Creek has swallowed railroad cars and bridges in the past. The collector will be anchored to the banks by cables that are designed to keep it from washing out, being swept away or being covered in mud, Tucker said…
In the event of a major flood, the unit would not be lost — Fountain Creek has swallowed railroad cars and bridges in the past. The collector will be anchored to the banks by cables that are designed to keep it from washing out, being swept away or being covered in mud, Tucker said…
The collector should be up and running within a couple of weeks.