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Welcome to
the Ruedi Water and Power Authority (RWAPA) Website. This site will provide
you with information on RWAPA activities and policies and will provide
information on water issues of interest to the Roaring Fork Valley. We
will also provide resources, links and information regarding local water
matters, other water agencies, and regional and national water issues.
We invite you to browse our site and to contact us if you have any questions
or comments about the information provided.
Since 1981 RWAPA has provided a voice that speaks on behalf of the entire
valley on a broad range of water issues. RWAPA is recognized regionally,
statewide and nationally as representing the best interests of the Roaring
Fork, Crystal and Fryingpan valleys.

Over
the years, RWAPA has been a reasonable but persistent advocate for the
economic, environmental and recreational interests of the Roaring Fork,
Fryingpan and Crystal Rivers. RWAPA consults regularly with the Colorado
River Water Conservation District, the Bureau of Reclamation and other
agencies on local and regional water policy. RWAPA is a partner in local,
regional and national water management studies and planning efforts. RWAPA
participates in discussions regarding Ruedi management, trans-mountain
diversion operations and local water developments. Since its founding,
RWAPA's interests have expanded to include water quality and quantity
issues, including the 208 Water Quality Plan, riverbank and riverbed stability,
flood management and hydroelectric power development. Other current RWAPA
projects and interests include the following:
Monitoring of, and participation in Ruedi
management decisions: RWAPA maintains communications with
the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other
local and regional agencies regarding Ruedi management. RWAPA participates
in weekly conference calls which address day to day water management and
reservoir release issues. RWAPA attends and participates in meetings where
management issues are discussed and future management directions are established.
Local Planning Projects:
RWAPA was a co-sponsor, along with the Colorado Water Conservation Board,
of the Roaring Fork and Fryingpan Multi-Objective Study (1999). This Study
provided a comprehensive survey of river stability issues and solutions
between Aspen and Glenwood Springs and spurred further planning for specific
areas. RWAPA coordinated local input into the 208 Water Quality Plan update
in partnership with the North West Colorado Council of Governments. RWAPA
has carried out evaluations of hydropower potential for locations in Aspen,
Glenwood Springs & Carbondale. RWAPA has carried out research for
Pitkin County in the areas of minimum streamflow and water diversion.
EPA Grant: In 1999, RWAPA
wrote and administered a $30,000 EPA grant for river stabilization work
on the Roaring Fork River between Basalt and Carbondale. This area has
been the site of much controversy and significant investment in river
bank and bed stabilization projects. It is considered a local model for
environmentally sensitive and effective river stabilization.
Ruedi Futures Studies: RWAPA
has been working with the Roaring Fork Conservancy and the Colorado River
Water Conservation District on the Ruedi Futures Studies. The impetus
for these studies is a tentative proposal to use Ruedi water as an element
of the Homestake II project. Homestake II would deliver several thousand
acre-feet of western slope water to the cities of Aurora and Colorado
Springs. This prospect prompted local water interests to investigate Ruedi's
capacity for adequately satisfying the various demands on Ruedi water.
The first phase of the study, completed in 2002, was a survey of the economic
value of Ruedi and the Fryingpan River. The second phase of the study
is a fisheries habitat study which is due to be completed in early 2003.
This study will examine flow fluctuations and habitat quality in the Fryingpan.
Public Education: RWAPA
has sponsored the development of educational material illustrating the
issues and agencies associated with Ruedi and Ruedi management. These
materials include posters, charts and narratives, some of which are available
elsewhere on this website. In addition, RWAPA regularly leads tours of
the dam and hydropower facility and appears before local public groups
and clubs to discuss Ruedi-related issues. The Poster that RWAPA developed
in cooperation with the Colorado River Water Conservation District to
provide summary information about Ruedi can be viewed
here.
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