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Big News! The Greenway Foundation and Denver Water have teamed up to start a pledge drive which, if successful, will add an additional 500 acre-feet of environmental storage in Chatfield Reservoir through a community coalition. Denver Water has committed nearly $2 million to fund the purchase of 250 acre-feet of storage space in Chatfield – if The Greenway Foundation can raise the funds necessary to match that amount. The Greenway Foundation will lead the efforts to raise those pledges and secure this unique opportunity.
This 500 acre-feet of water used to supplement the environmental storage space will be owned by the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District, a major agricultural district downstream from Denver. The have agreed to pay ongoing costs for operation and maintenance of the space. This is one of the most exciting opportunities to come along in a long time for the health of the South Platte River. It is also a perfect example of the kind of project envisioned in the Colorado Water Plan for maximizing resources through projects that provide multiple benefits for multiple users. The Environmental Pool is being created to allow for strategic releases out of Chatfield Reservoir for stream flow which will be timed to maximize the environmental and recreational benefits to the river in the metro area, with while also providing additional benefits to agricultural users downstream. This project benefits fish, urban water quality, recreational users, agricultural communities, and contributes to the overall health and vitality of Denver’s greatest natural resource. See the press release here for details. http://www.denverwater.org/AboutUs/PressRoom/9E602F48-155D-01CB-0CD599C355BF5322/ We’re accepting pledges now to meet this challenge. We would love to have your support! Contact Devon Buckels, Director, The Water Connection, devon@thewaterconnection.org (visit our water resources page through link at top ofwww.thewaterconnection.org) or contact Jeff Shoemaker, Executive Director, The Greenway Foundation, jeff@thegreenwayfoundation.org for more information. |
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