Key findings of draft report on water project released

Some key findings of the draft environmental impact statement released today by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Northern Integrated Supply Project which calls for the construction of two water storage reservoirs — the Glade Reservoir northwest of Fort Collins and the Galeton Reservoir east of Ault.

• Reduced flows through Fort Collins because of NISP will not significantly alter the aesthetics of the river. It will still be bank-to-bank during most times NISP diverts.

• Glade Reservoir will add about $17 million annually in recreational values to the region.

• The project will not reduce river flows within the Poudre Canyon and has the potential to increase flows in the lower part of the canyon and extend the rafting season into late summer.

• Segments of the Poudre River have historically dried up during the winter months. NISP will not increase the dry periods in the Poudre River through Fort Collins.

There is also a “no action” option in the draft outlining what the participants would do without NISP. If NISP is not built, an additional 62-100 square miles of agricultural lands will be dried up as those water suppliers accelerate the acquisition of farmers’ water.