Business Plan 2021 - (2021-2023) Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District - Southeastern Colorado Water ...
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2021
Business
Plan
(2021-2023)
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 1
www.secwcd.com
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 2
2021 Business Plan
Introduction
1958
The Southeastern
Colorado Water Con-
servancy District was
formed for the prima-
ry purpose of forming
Blueprint for success
and operating the
Fryingpan-Arkansas The 2021 Business Plan aligns with the 2021 Stra-
Project.
tegic Plan for the Southeastern Colorado Water Con-
1962 servancy District.
The Fry-Ark Pro-
The Business Plan is designed to reflect the Work
ject was approved by
Congress. of the District and Enterprise for a three-year period.
1981 The Business Plan conforms to the Vision, Mis-
Repayment Contract sion, and Core Values of the District, recognizing the
for Project signed importance of funding and staffing in terms of ac-
with the Bureau of complishing those goals.
Reclamation.
The 2021 Business Plan should be viewed in con-
1995 nection with the 2021 Adopted Budget and the 2020
The District
Financial Report, and identifies the expectations of
formed an Enterprise
Activity. The Enter-
spending. This document does not obligate the ex-
prise is the business penditure of money.
arm of the District.
The Business Plan is reviewed annually to assess
2020 progress and adjust goals.
Hydroelectric Power
subfund created in
the Enterprise Budget.
2021
Arkansas Valley Con-
duit subfund created.
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 3
inside...
Funds
The District (General) Fund is the
governmental arm of the District.
The Enterprise (Proprietary) Fund
is the business arm of the District.
Strategic Plan
Components The 2021 Business Plan is a 3-year outlook of
District and Enterprise priorities. While it is orga-
nized along topical lines, the chart in the upper
left corner of each page indicates how the topic
aligns with the Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan
was adopted by the Board in and identifies long-
Component Classes term District goals, objectives and strategies.
District and Enterprise programs and
projects are broken into components
with a brief description, progress report,
Strategic Plan alignment, funding impact,
and a reference to more complete
writeups within the report.
Fry-Ark Operations Page 6
Fry-Ark Administration Page 7
District Operations Page 8
Enterprise Programs Page 9
Storage Programs Page 10
Water Sales & Storage Page 11
Partnerships Page 12
Reserves Page 13
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 4
Fry-Ark Operations Partnerships
Debt Repayment 14 Fountain Creek Transit Loss 21
Project Reserve Fund 15 Water Quality Monitoring 26
Project OM&R 16 Regional Resource Planning 51
Asset Valuation 17 Water Basin Forum 52
Condition Assessment 17 Ark Basin Roundtable 52
Hydrologic Variability 18 Voluntary Flow Program 53
Pueblo Dam Interconnect 19 Watershed Health 54
Fry-Ark Administration Reserves
Reclamation Reform Act 20 Fry-Ark Reserves 15
Transit Loss Modeling 21 Cash Reserve 55
Boundaries & Inclusion 22 Operating Reserve 55
Water Rights Protection 23 Contents Capital Reserve 55
Colorado River Programs 24 Exposure Reserve 55
Conservation Plan 25 Storage Programs District Fund Balance 56
Water Quality Monitoring 26 Recovery of Storage 40 Enterprise Fund Balance 56
Excess Capacity Contract 34
District Operations Long-Term Excess Capacity 35 Other Topics
Financial Studies 27 Expansion of Storage 41 Capital Outlay 57
Headquarters 28 Restoration of Yield 42 Miscellaneous Revenue 58
Fleet Management 29 John Martin Reservoir 43 Financial Policies 59-60
Information Technology 30 Upper Basin Storage 44 3-Year Budget Projections 61-73
Records Management 31 Winter Water 45 Tracking Progress 74
Human Resources 32 Safety of Dams 46
Communication & Outreach 33 Note: Some topics appear in multi-
Water Sales & Storage Fees ple component classes.
Enterprise Programs Project Water Municipal 47
Excess Capacity Contract 34 Project Water Irrigation 47
Arkansas Valley Conduit 36 Municipal Carryover 48
Hydroelectric Power 38 Return Flows 49
New Water Sources 39 First Right of Refusal 49
Storage Programs 40 Winter Water 45
Water Sales & Storage 47 Surcharges 50
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Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 5
2021 Business Plan
Components
Fry-Ark Operations
The District works in partnership with the Bureau of Reclamation to operate the Fryingpan-
Arkansas Project, sharing costs for construction, OM&R and betterments. District investiga-
tions will help identify future funding needs.
Program Description Progress Strategic Plan Interface 2021 Budget Reference
Fry-Ark Project Amendment 11 to the Repay- Reclamation, District $1,467,572 Page
Debt Repay- ment Contract structured annual developing basis of Water
ment payments for remaining Project negotiation for Con- supply,
storage &
14
debt. tract conversion. power
Fry-Ark Project Amendment 11 allowed the Dis- Operational Subject to Recla- Page
Reserves trict to build Project Reserves to mation reconcili-
meet extraordinary or unfore- ation 15
Water
seen needs. supply,
storage &
power
Fry-Ark Project The District pays a percentage of Operational $3,300,928 Page
OM&R operation, maintenance and
replacement for the Fry-Ark Pro- Water
16
ject. supply,
storage &
power
Asset The District is undertaking stud- Phase I complete in See below Page
Valuation ies to determine the value of Fry 2020, Phase 2 in 2021
-Ark Project features for future Water
17
estimation of costs. District and supply,
storage &
Enterprise assets are included. power
Condition The Condition Assessment will 2021-2022 $300,000 com- Page
Assessment look at the timing of needed bined with Asset
work for the Fry-Ark Project fea- Water
Valuation 17
tures, and assets of the District supply,
storage &
and Enterprise. power
Streamflow The District will look at new ap- 2021-2023 Water supply $10,000 Page
protection &
Forecasts proaches to use snow surveys water
and other data to get more relia- efficiency 18
ble forecasts of upcoming water
supplies.
Pueblo Dam The Interconnection at Pueblo EIS completed in 2013 Future
— Page
Interconnect Dam would provide redundancy water
for municipal water delivery and supplies &
storage
19
more efficient operation of the
North and South Outlets.
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 6
2021 Business Plan
Components
Fry-Ark Administration
The District has numerous programs which support and enhance the Fryingpan-
Arkansas Project. It is crucial to protect the legal rights to water and to provide staff
the tools to properly administer the District.
Program Description Progress Strategic Plan interface 2021 Budget Reference
Reclamation The 1982 Reclamation Operational Water supply $20,000 Page
protection &
Reform Act Reform Act limits deliv- water
ery of Project water to efficiency 20
irrigators based on acre-
age.
Transit Loss Fountain Creek Transit Operational Water supply $3,200 Page
protection &
Modeling Loss model tracks mu- water
nicipal Return Flows. efficiency 21
Boundaries & Inclusion manual com- Operational Water supply $15,000 Page
protection &
Inclusion pleted in 2018; bounda- water
ry mapping initiated in efficiency 22
2019.
Water supply
Water Rights Legal and engineering Operational protection &
$235,000 Page
Protection costs associated with water
conditional water rights
efficiency 23
and defense of water
rights in Divisions 2 & 5.
Colorado River Support programs for Operational Water supply $77,234 Page
protection &
Programs endangered species , water
drought contingency efficiency 24
planning, and coopera-
tive environmental
needs.
Water Conservation plan re- Operational Water supply — Page
protection &
Conservation quired under Fry-Ark water
Plan Contract every five efficiency 25
years. Next plan due in
2022.
Water Quality Cooperative programs Operational Water supply $197,049 Page
protection &
Monitoring with the U.S. Geological water
Survey to support Ar- efficiency 26
kansas River Basin wa-
ter rights.
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 7
2021 Business Plan
Components
District Operations
District operations support the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, District activities and Enter-
prise activities. People, buildings, vehicles, and technology are included in this category
Program Description Progress Strategic Plan interface 2021 Budget Reference
Financial Studies Financial Strategy and Surcharge study in — Page
Sustainability Study 2021. New Finance
developed a financial study in 2022. 27
plan, capital improve-
ment plan, cost of ser-
vice and rate design.
Headquarters The Building and Operational $380,173 Page
Grounds at 31717
United Avenue in 28
Pueblo, Colorado.
Core
business
Fleet The District maintains Operational $45,000 Page
Management 3 vehicles, which are
purchased on a 6-year 29
rotation.
Core
business
Information Computers, printers, Operational $8,000 Page
Technology and communication
equipment are upgrad- 30
ed in order to keep
Core
pace with technology. business
Records The District is in the In study phase $50,000 Page
Management process of converting
its record to electronic 31
form to improve acces-
sibility . Core
business
Human Workforce succession Operational $1,751,367 Page
Resources planning, surveys for
salaries and benefits, 32
and employee skill sets
Core
are all considered. business
Communication & Strategies are devel- Ongoing $25,230 Page
Outreach oped for conveying
information about the 33
District within and
outside the organiza- Core
business
tion.
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 8
2021
2021 Business
Business Plan
Plan
Components
Enterprise Programs
The Water Activity Enterprise is the business arm of the District. The completion of the James W.
Broderick Hydropower Plant in 2019, the administration of the Excess Capacity Master Contract,
the Arkansas Valley Conduit, and Recovery of Storage are major programs.
Program Description Progress Strategic Plan interface 2021 Budget Reference
Excess The contract allows 37 Operational Future $282,659 Page
Capacity entities within the Dis- water
Master trict to store non-
supplies &
storage
34
Contract Project water in Pueblo
Reservoir for 40 years. It
was completed in 2016.
Arkansas The AVC will provide Annual Operations, pre- Future
$2,959,483 Page
Valley filtered drinking water design and Contract water
Conduit to 40 communities serv- with Pueblo Water, Rec-
supplies &
storage
36
ing 50,000 people east lamation, Southeastern
of Pueblo. in 2021. Construction
begins 2022.
Hydroelectric The James W. Broderick Operational $1,257,590 Page
Power Hydropower Plant was
completed in May 2019 Water
38
at Pueblo Dam under a supply,
storage &
Lease of Power Privilege power
with Reclamation.
New Water The Enterprise has the Proposed, no board Future — Page
Sources ability to purchase new action so far water
water rights, as has
supplies &
storage
39
been suggested by past
boards.
Storage A portfolio of several In study stage Future
— Page
Programs types of storage that water
will benefit the District
supplies &
storage
10
in the future. (34-35)
(40-46)
Water Sales Various charges as- Operational $1,425,714 Page
and Storage sessed for the sale of
Charges water and storage. 11
(47-50)
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 9
2021 Business Plan
Components
Storage programs
Storage is essential to the operation of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, and beneficial to all
stakeholders of the Southeastern District. Reservoirs created by storage provide recreation
opportunities, while creating aquatic habitat.
Program Description Progress Strategic Plan Interface 2021 Budget Reference
Recovery of Pueblo Reservoir has lost Phase 1 study com- $300,000 Page
Storage 20,000 af of storage. Goal is plete. Committee re- Water
to recover Fry-Ark Project view in 2021. supply,
storage &
40
space. power
Excess SECWCD Excess Capacity 16 of 37 subcontracts Future
$282,659 Page
Capacity Master Contract executed water
Storage
supplies &
storage
34
Other long-term contracts Pueblo Water, SDS and — Page
Aurora contracts in
place
35
Expansion of Need for additional Project Larger cities have Future — Page
Storage and non-Project storage was moved ahead with water
identified in 1998 Water some plans to increase
supplies &
storage
41
Needs Assessment Study. storage.
p
Lower Restoration of Yield Purchase of reservoir $142,500 Page
Future
Basin site in 2021 water
supplies &
storage
42
John Martin Reservoir Future planning — Page
43
Upper Upper Arkansas Water Con- Future planning Future $25,000 Page
Basin servancy District developing water
Multiuse Project with poten-
supplies &
storage
44
tial for partnerships.
Winter This is a Project feature that Operational $117,600 Page
Water allows annual storage of non-
Project water in Project and
Water
supply,
45
non-Project facilities. storage &
power
Safety of This Reclamation program Operational $60,000 Page
Dams protects Project assets with
District cost-share.
Water
supply, 46
storage &
power
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 102021 Business Plan
Components
Water Sales and Storage
Water and storage sales provide revenue for the Enterprise, which is the business arm of the
District. The 2019 Financial Strategy and Sustainability Study offered a new way of looking at
the Enterprise water rate structure.
Program Description Progress Strategic Plan interface 2021 Budget Reference
Project Water Fry-Ark imports: 54.59% Rates determined annu- $319,315 Page
Municipal & are available for munici- ally by Board.
Industrial Sales pal allocation and sales. Water
47
supply,
storage &
power
Project Water Fry-Ark imports: 45.41% Rates determined annu- $265,599 Page
Irrigation Sales are available for irriga- ally by Board.
tion. Irrigation may pur- Water
47
chase unused M&I wa- supply,
storage &
ter at M&I rate. power
Project Water Storage of water in mu- Rates determined annu- — Page
Carryover nicipal accounts after ally by Board.
Storage the first year of storage. Water
48
Board is discussing ap- supply,
storage &
propriate charges. power
Return Flows Sale of agricultural and Rates determined annu- Water supply $94,164 Page
protection &
municipal Return Flows, ally by Board.
primarily for augmenta-
water
efficiency 49
tion purposes.
First Right of Fort Lyon Canal Pilot Pilot program in pro- Water supply — Page
protection &
Refusal Program completed in gress water
(Purchase of 2018. Application to efficiency 49
Irrigation Re- other ditch systems be-
turn Flows) gan in 2019.
Winter Water Non-Project water Rates determined annu- $117,600 Page
stored from November ally by Board.
15-March 15 annually. 45
Water
District collects contract supply,
storage &
and storage fees. power
Surcharges The Board voted in Oc- Rates determined annu- $632,965 Page
tober 2019 to review ally by Board.
impact of removing sur-
Water
supply,
50
storage &
charges in 2021 and power
beyond.
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 112021 Business Plan
Components
Partnerships
The District partners with other agencies to provide needed water services for its stakehold-
ers. Partnerships are a valuable to collaboratively work with others in the Arkansas River ba-
sin to achieve common goals.
Program Description Progress Strategic Plan interface 2021 Budget Reference
Fountain The District works with Operational Water supply $3,200 Page
protection &
Creek Transit 16 other participants to
Loss Model track Return Flows on
water
efficiency 21
Fountain Creek, ac-
counting for losses.
Water Quality The District sponsors Operational Water supply $197,049 Page
protection &
Monitoring two USGS monitoring water
programs on the Arkan- efficiency 26
sas River and its tribu-
taries, benefit all water
users.
Regional The RRPG was formed in The group meets annu- Water supply $135,000 Page
protection &
Resource 2003 to collaboratively ally to determine scope water
Planning address basin-wide wa- of work efficiency 50
Group ter quality issues.
Arkansas River The District participates Ongoing planning at the Water supply $2,500 Page
protection &
Basin Water in this annual event that staff level. water
Forum brings diverse water efficiency 52
interests together.
Arkansas District is involved with Ongoing participation. Water supply — Page
protection &
Basin activities of the water
Roundtable Roundtable, which coor- efficiency 52
dinates water planning
at the state level.
Voluntary The District helps coor- New agreement in Water supply — Page
protection &
Flow dinate releases to bene- 2021.
Management fit boating and protect
water
efficiency 53
Program flows for fish on the
Arkansas River.
Watershed Concern is growing that District contributes Water supply $30,000 Page
protection &
Health & catastrophic events through Reclamation
Healthy For- such as wildfires threat- OM&R.
water
efficiency 54
ests en water supplies by
increasing erosion risk.
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 122021 Business Plan
Components
Reserves
The Board created strategic fund reserve categories in October 2019 as a result of recom-
mendations from the Financial Strategy and Sustainability Study. In addition, Amendment 11
to the Fry-Ark Contract in 2018 created reserves for Project OM&R.
Program Description Progress Strategic Plan interface 2021 Budget Reference
Fry-Ark Established under Operational Subject to Reclama- Page
Reserves Amendment 11 to the tion reconciliation
Fry-Ark Contract. Recla- 15
Water
mation approval re- supply,
storage &
quired for expenditures. power
Cash Reserve Working cash sufficient Operational Target pending Page
to fund cash-flow varia- Board action.
tions in a typical oper- 55
ating cycle.
Core
business
Operating Covers potential inter- Operational Target pending Page
Reserve ruption of District or Board action.
Enterprise revenue 55
streams.
Core
business
Capital Funds capital repair, Operational Target pending Page
Reserve replacement or better- Board action.
ment of District proper- 55
ties or other capital pro-
jects.
Exposure Covers extraordinary, Operational Target pending Page
Reserve unforeseen events not Board action.
otherwise covered by 55
reserves or insurance.
District Fund Fund Balances that are Operational Page
Balances non-spendable, restrict-
ed, committed, as- 56
signed, unassigned or
unrestricted.
Enterprise Fund Balances that are Operational Page
Fund Balances unrestricted.
56
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 132021 Business Plan
Fryingpan-Arkansas Project: Debt Repayment
Water Supply ,
storage and Power
In 2018, the Dis-
trict and Reclamation
signed Amendment
Spreading out Payments Allows for Fry-Ark Reserve
11 to the Fryingpan- Work began on the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project no interest. Consequently, the District chose to
in 1964, and was substantially complete in 1981, repay municipal and industrial costs of the Project
Arkansas Project Con- and the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) pre- first, leaving irrigation costs for future years.
tract. The debt for the pared a final cost allocation. The District’s share
Prior to Amendment 11 to the Contract, the Dis-
Project will be paid off was $134.7 million of the total $585 million cost
trict forwarded all ad valorem taxes to Reclama-
in 2031, the full 50 (23 percent). Payments began under the 1982 Fry-
Pueblo Reservoir/SECWCD tion each year.
ingpan-Arkansas Project Contract (Contract). Pay-
years accounted for in ments came from ad valorem taxes, water sales, In 2018, Amendment 11 spread the remaining
the 1982 Contract. and winter water charges. Fry-Ark debt and required annual payments over
The Contract is ex- the remainder of the 50-year contract that began in
The District began taking Project water in 1972,
pected to be convert- 1982. Amendment 11 allowed the District to pay
and used a portion of the taxes and water sales to
an amortized debt payment, prepaid operations,
ed to a true repay- make about $2 million in payments prior to 1981.
maintenance, and replacement (OM&R) cost and
ment contract by the In 2010 the Amendment 9 to the contract allowed
consider a miscellaneous revenue credit. The
project water sales revenue to remain in-house to
end of 2021. The Dis- remining ad valorem tax revenue is added to a Fry-
support operations. The Board assigned water sales
trict intends to contin- Ark Project Reserve for future Project needs.
revenues to Enterprise activities by resolution.
ue paying off the debt Interest earned on the Fry-Ark Project Reserve
The municipal and industrial share of interest
in the schedule can be used for either District or Enterprise opera-
during construction and repayment was charged
tions.
agreed to under 3.046 percent. The irrigation portion was charged
Amendment 11.
Fry-Ark Project
Fry-Ark Debt Repayment 2020 2021 2022 2023
Payments continue until 2031 $1,467,572 $1,467,572 $1,467,572 $1,467,572
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 142021 Business Plan
Fryingpan-Arkansas Project Fund Reserve
Water Supply ,
storage and Power
Amendment 11
to the Fryingpan-
Arkansas Project Con-
tract allows the Dis-
trict to establish a
reserve fund for ex-
traordinary or cata-
strophic expenses. Pueblo Reservoir/SECWCD
The Amendment
requires the District Restoration of the expansion joints between the concrete buttresses on Pueblo Dam began in 2019.
to repay a set amount Holding Funds in Reserve for Extraordinary Needs
for construction and
The focus of the District from its creation in
annual OM&R charges FRY-ARK RESERVES: KEY ELEMENTS
1958 was repayment of the Fryingpan-Arkansas
from property tax Project debt to the federal government. During the Asset Valuation/Condition Assessment
collections. The re- “Framing the Future” discussions in recent years,
Recovery of Storage
mainder of the reve- the District Board has turned its attention to the
ongoing Operations, Maintenance and Replace- Pueblo Dam Interconnect
nues collected is to be
ment (OM&R) of the Project as well. Unforeseeen Future Needs
set aside in a reserve
Amendment 11 to the Repayment Contract es-
fund that can only be own Asset Valuation, Condition Assessment and
tablished a mechanism to build reserves for ex-
used for Project Recovery of Storage studies. Phase 1 of the Asset
traordinary needs of the Project, such as the recent
Valuation and Recovery of Storage studies were
needs. The interest work on expansion joint seals on the concrete but-
completed in 2020, and will continue in 2021,
revenue is available tresses at Pueblo Dam. The work in 2019-20,
with collaboration from the Reclamation.
along with ongoing drainage systems within the
for District or Enter-
dam, has reduced leakage by 58 percent. More Betterments to the Project are also anticipated.
prise operations. work may be required at a later date. The District’s One example is the Interconnection at Pueblo
share of the $10.7 million so far has been about $6 Dam. The Interconnect would link the North and
million, or 56 percent. Future work could cost an South Outlets for emergencies or routine mainte-
additional $20 million. nance at either outlet. Although no date for the
Fry-Ark Project Interconnect has been set, it would be a multimil-
That’s just one project, and there could be oth-
lion dollar project that would require more than
ers. The Bureau of Reclamation makes periodic
annual revenues to pay the District’s share.
estimates of the need for funding based on inspec-
tion of Project features. To better understand the There is also the possibility of unforeseen future
need for reserves, the District has undertaken its needs that could strain District resources.
Estimated Reserves 2020 2021 2022 2023
Subject to Reclamation reconciliation $5,135,160 $9,643,188 $14,512,024 $19,931,669
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 152021 Business Plan
Fryingpan-Arkansas Project OM&R
Water Supply , Part of the Fry-
storage and Power ingpan-Arkansas
Project Collec-
The District is
tion System
responsible for a por- near the
tion of all costs, Boustead Tun-
betterment and re- nel.
placements to main-
tain the Fryingpan- Maintaining the District’s Fry-Ark Investment
Arkansas Project. The
The District pays for a percentage of the opera-
District’s share varies Fry-Ark Reserves are in place for years when
tion,
Pueblomaintenance, and replacement (OM&R) for
Reservoir/SECWCD
by Project feature, the Fry-Ark Project. Reclamation operates the the OM&R costs may be greater than what
Ranging from 47-56 Project, but the users of the Project pay their pro- can be covered by ad valorem tax revenues.
percent. portional shares according to a cost allocation that
was determined as the Project neared completion Extraordinary maintenance items are also in-
in 1981. cluded in the payment calculations, and in 2021,
Reclamation plans to replace actuator gates and
Municipal and industrial, as well as irrigation
users, are covered by the District. Other uses of seals in both the North and South Collection Sys-
the Project include power generation, recreation, tem, a roughly $1.7 million project. Routine
fish and wildlife, scenic conservation, flood con- maintenance is estimated at $2 million, There will
trol and others. also be some remaining charges for the joint seal
Fry-Ark Project
project at Pueblo Dam. Again, those charges will
Those benefits are further broken down by fea- not be known under the reconciliation is com-
ture, and the District’s share is shown in the table plete.
below. Under Amendment 11 to the Repayment
Contract, the District makes an advance payment The District pays for the OM&R through its ad
for the project OM&R in the coming calendar valorem tax collections, and the Fry-Ark Project
year. Reclamation reconciles the actual costs, Reserve fund if the annual revenues are not suffi-
which are paid twice a year by the District. cient to cover costs.
Ruedi East Slope 54.17% Mount Elbert Conduit 52.00%
SECWCD
North Side Collection 54.17% Twin Lakes 47.67%
Project cost
South Side Collection 47.67% Halfmoon Diversion 54.17%
share per
Boustead Tunnel 51.46% Pueblo Reservoir 55.79%
feature
Sugarloaf (Turquoise) 52.54%
Fryingpan-Arkansas Project OM&R 2020 2021 2022 2023
Total costs $8,774,100 $3,300,928 $2,855,114 $2,409,003
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 162021 Business Plan
Asset Valuation, Condition Assessment
This table shows values of
the major features of the
Fry-Ark Project, and District
and Enterprise assets, as
determined in Phase I of
the study.
Strategic
Initiatives
The District now
has the opportunity to
create a reserve fund
for extraordinary or
catastrophic costs. To
better estimate and
prepare, the District
will complete an asset
valuation and condi-
tion assessment of
Fryingpan-Arkansas
Project features.
Funding is through
the Recurring Capital
in the District Opera-
tions fund. Checking on the Health of the Fry-Ark Project
Phase I of the Feature and Asset Valuation
Reservoirs Capacity
study was completed in 2020 under a contract
Ruedi Reservoir 102,369 AF
with Providence Infrastructure Consultants.
Fry-Ark Project Phase 2 is continuing under the contract in Turquoise Lake 129,432 AF
2021. The major tasks will be to prioritize fea- Mount Elbert Forebay 11,530 AF
District Operations tures that are most critical to the delivery of Twin Lakes 140,339 AF
Fry-Ark water, as well as which features will Pueblo Reservoir 338,374 AF
need attention soonest. Conduits, Tunnels Length
Hydropower Southside Collection 14.2 miles
District staff is working with Providence and
Northside Collection 11.3 miles
Reclamation in finalizing the Feature Valuation
for the Fry-Ark Project. Once this information Boustead Tunnel 5.4 miles
is collected and analyzed, the Condition As- Mount Elbert Conduit 10.5 miles
sessment will begin, where critical Fry-Ark Fountain Valley Conduit 45.5 miles
features will be studied in-depth. Other Features
Mount Elbert Power Plant, 200 megawatts
These activities are important in determining
Pueblo Fish Hatchery
the level of reserves for the Fry-Ark Project,
South Outlet Pueblo Dam
District and Enterprise funds.
North Outlet Pueblo Dam
Infrastructure Evaluation 2020 2021 2022 2023
Asset Valuation, Condition Assessment $120,000 $300,000 $250,000 $250,000
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 172021 Business Plan
Hydrologic Variability
Future water
supplies and
Storage
Water years 2019
and 2020 illustrate
the need for better
predictive tools. In
2020, a dry year, Fry- A New Direction for Estimating Project water yield
ingpan-Arkansas Pro-
Enterprise revenues are tied to
ject imports came in Fryingpan-Arkansas Project annual
at 80 percent of pre- imports available for sale.
dicted amounts. In The supplemental water supply is
2019, a very wet year, also crucial for decisions by munici-
imports exceeded the pal and agricultural water providers.
forecast by 11,800 When actual imports are substan-
acre-feet. Better tools tially less than forecasts, those plans
are needed to make have to be adjusted. If imports out-
pace predictions, the water likely
timely adjustments to will remain in storage until the next
snowfall models. water year. More accurate forecasts
will improve the certainty for all
involved. This chart shows the variability of actual Fryingpan-Arkansas
Project imports compared to May 1 forecasts since 2010.
The District traditionally has used
May 1 forecasts by the Bureau of Reclamation to
Fry-Ark Project develop its annual allocations. Estimates are
Snowpack readings alone may no longer be
based on limited data from snow measurement
sites that are relatively low in elevation compared sufficient in forecasting how much water is
Water & Storage to most of the Fry-Ark collection system. available on an annual basis.
The forecasts are reliable when May and June
weather patterns remain stable. However, those effective methods of predicting streamflow later
patterns have fluctuated greatly in the past 10 in the season are emerging.
years.
Funding will shift toward supporting all availa-
The District has looked at the possibility of add- ble technologies to improve the forecast reliability
ing more USDA Snotel sites higher in the Collec- as climate change complicates the traditional
tion System for several years, but more cost- methods.
Streamflow Forecasts 2020 2021 2022 2023
Budgeted amounts $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 182021 Business Plan
Pueblo Dam Interconnect
Water Supply ,
storage and Power
The interconnection
and Pueblo Dam will
connect the North and
South Outlets to in-
crease the reliability of
municipal water supplies
North
Pueblo Outlet Works Pueblo Dam/SECWCD
Reservoir/SECWCD
in the event of shut-
downs for either mainte-
nance or emergencies.
Since the 2014 Record of
Integrating Water Deliveries at Pueblo Dam
Decision, it has become Interconnection of the North and
apparent that the Inter- South Outlets at Pueblo Dam would
connect could improve have benefits for both operations and
water quality by allow- water quality for municipal water pro-
ing municipal water pro- viders who depend on Pueblo Reser-
voir.
viders more variety in
elevation from which During short-term maintenance and
water is drawn. The emergency situations, the Interconnect
would move water between the North
2016 cost estimate is
and South Outlets at Pueblo Dam. The
$16.5 million. Interconnect would be a 2.5-mile sec-
tion of 84-inch pipeline to be con-
structed between the two outlet works. A figure from the 2013 EIS shows the population that
Interconnect operations would require would benefit from the Interconnect.
a long-term (40-year) contract between
Fry-Ark Project
Reclamation and the Interconnect water providers for use during periodic maintenance or emergen-
cies activities.
The Interconnect contract would also support deliveries of water to water connections at Pueblo
Reservoir for the Arkansas Valley Conduit, Pueblo Fish Hatchery, Pueblo Water, Pueblo West Met-
ropolitan District, Southern Delivery System, and Fountain Valley Authority. No plans to build the
Interconnect are foreseen in the immediate future.
Pueblo Dam Interconnect 2020 2021 2022 2023
Funding not anticipated in near future — — — --
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 192021 Business Plan
Reclamation Reform Act
Water Supply
Protection and
Water Efficiency
Large federal irri-
gation projects, such
as the Fryingpan-
Arkansas Project, are
meant to help smaller Pueblo Reservoir/SECWCD
landowners. A provi-
sion of the Reclama-
tion Reform Act re- Farming in the Lower Arkansas Valley/Drone Photo by Jack Goble
quires certification of
land holdings through-
out the West to avoid Maintaining the Family Farm; Avoiding Speculation
subsidies to large agri-
The Reclamation Reform Act (RRA) was signed in 1982 to
cultural ventures. encourage family farming and limit speculation on irrigated farm
land. Irrigation water users are required to certify their landhold-
ings by filing RRA forms prior to receiving Project water. RRA
compliance is a condition of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project
Contract.
District staff annually meets with about 340 of the 3,220 ditch
shareholders in the Arkansas Valley to certify the amount of acres
being farmed. Any landowner with more than 240 acres are re-
quired to report. All reports are confidential.
Reclamation makes the determination of eligibility. RRA re-
Fry-Ark Project stricts Project water to under 960 acres for qualified recipients,
and under 640 acres for limited recipients.
Each year, $2,000 is budgeted in the event that payments for
administrative fees for noncompliant water providers.
An audit of the RRA Program occurs every five year. The most
resent began in 2020, and will continue in 2021, and requires an
additional budget amount of $20,000.
Reclamation Reform Act 2021 2022 2023 2024
Covers District Expenses $22,000 $20,000 $2,000 $2,000
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 202021 Business Plan
Fountain Creek Transit Loss Modeling
Water Supply
Protection and
Water Efficiency
Getting water from
Point A to Point B in
any river involves a
calculation that incor-
porates factors such as
the rate of flow, bank Fountain
Pueblo Creek/Pueblo Chieftain
Reservoir/SECWCD
seepage, evapotranspi-
ration rates, contribut-
ed flow from tributar- Tracking a Muddy River Fountain Creek
ies, and diversions. In Transit Loss Participants
many cases, models are The Fountain Creek Transit Loss Model was
the most efficient way developed in 2007 by the U.S. Geological Sur- Monument
to measure transit loss.
vey to track flows along 78 miles of water- Woodmoor
ways. The Southeastern District joined in or- Triview
Models exist for the
der to better measure municipal Return Flows. Donala
Upper Arkansas River
and Lower Arkansas The model breaks 78 miles of river into 33 Forest Lakes
River. The most active reaches, and calculates the amount of losses at Palmer Lake
transit loss model is for varying flows. It is necessary to measure the Fountain Mutual Irrigation Co.
the largest tributary of losses in order to assure water rights are not Colorado Springs Utilities
the Arkansas River, injured by the many diversions along Fountain Fountain
Fountain Creek. Creek and Monument Creek. Widefield
The District is one of 17 participants in the Security
program, and pays an annual membership, plus Stratmoor Hills
an additional fee based on its share of Return Chilcotte Ditch
District Operations
Flows that are not claimed during the year. AGUA
Cherokee Metro
The additional fee is assessed in the year fol-
lowing the measurement. Colorado Centre
Southeastern District
Water Sales Revenue 2020 2021 2022 2023
Base fee, plus $20,000 for Project Return Flows $3,200 $3,200 $23,281 $23,863
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 212021 Business Plan
Boundaries and Inclusion
Water Supply
Protection and
Water Efficiency
A project as part
of the Legal Engineer-
ing program began in
2019 to determine
District Strives to Stay Inside the Lines
District boundaries.
Pueblo Reservoir/SECWCD An effort to precisely define District lines will continue in 2021
This is important in with the assistance of Wilson Water Group. District boundaries, as
order to maintain rev- described in the 1958 degree and subsequent inclusions, occasion-
enues that support the ally differ from modern GIS files. The boundaries are being “trued
up” to avoid discrepancies.
Fryingpan-Arkansas
Project. The goal is to develop a comprehensive District boundary that
can be readily distributed, displayed on the District website, easily
An Inclusion Man- maintained and updated annually, and trace changes in boundaries
ual was approved by to corresponding inclusion documents.
the District Board in The District has spent several years working with Colorado
2018. It includes poli- Springs to define boundaries. More work is needed, however, par-
cies for inclusion into ticularly in the remainder of El Paso County, Pueblo County, and
the District by annexa- Fremont County.
tion, petition and elec-
tion.
District Operations
Boundary Study 2020 2021 2022 2023
Included in Legal Engineering budget $12,500 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 222021 Business Plan
Water Rights Protection
Water Supply
Protection and
Water Efficiency
Water rights in
Colorado are defined
in the state Constitu-
Water Rights a Cornerstone of Fry-Ark Project
tion, and administered
under what is called In Colorado, water rights are claims that
Pueblo Reservoir/SECWCD
the “Colorado Doc- protect the priority of water use according
trine,” or first in time, to the first historical application of the wa-
first in right. Water put ter to a beneficial use. The water rights to
to beneficial use is the Fryingpan-Arkansas District in both
prioritized according to the Colorado River and Arkansas River
when the first use was watersheds are held by the District.
claimed. The District The District files for diligence of condi-
has water rights in tional water rights every six years. The
Divisions 2 and 5. next filings will be in 2022 in Division 2
and 2024 in Division 5.
The District also monitors other water
rights filings to protect Project water.
District Operations In 2017, the District adopted “Standard
Language” that streamlines the legal pro-
cess by openly providing conditions for
approval to opposing attorneys on routine
legal matters.
The Engineering Department and Legal
Department monitor water court cases to
determine whether new filings will have
an impact on Project water.
Water Rights Protection 2020 2021 2022 2023
Included in Legal Engineering budget $235,000 $235,000 $235,000 $235,000
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 232021 Business Plan
Colorado River Programs
Water Supply
Protection and
Water Efficiency
Programs in the
Colorado River basin
support Fryingpan-
Arkansas Project water
rights owned by the
District. These pro- Fishing below Ruedi Dam/Ann Stonehouse
Pueblo Reservoir/SECWCD
grams are operated
through partnerships Hooking Up With Our Source of Water Supply
with the Bureau of
The Colorado River basin provides the supple- hydraulic conditions from 1911-1944, compiled
Reclamation, Colorado
mental water that is brought into the Arkansas by Reclamation. The annual limit of 120,000 acre
Water Conservation River basin as an annual supplemental supply. In -feet also is specified.
Board, Front Range Colorado, about 80 percent of the water is located
west of the Continental Divide, while 80 percent The Operating Principles also set minimum
Water Council, Colora-
of the population is on the eastern side. stream flows on the Fryingpan River or its tribu-
do River Water Users taries, a 3,000 acre-foot exchange to Twin Lake
Association and Colo- In the 1900s, many projects were developed to Reservoir and Canal Company for equivalent
deliver Colorado River water to cities and farms releases from the headwaters of the Roaring Fork
rado Water Congress.
in the Arkansas River and South Platte River River, and specific minimum releases of water
They include fish re- basins. The Fryingpan-Arkansas Project was the for the protection of fish and wildlife.
covery, drought con- last to be developed, and also the largest import-
er of water to the Arkansas River basin. The Operating Principles also required the con-
tingency planning,
struction of Ruedi Reservoir as compensatory
weather modification , The Fryingpan-Arkansas Project Operating storage for Colorado River interests.
and communication. Principles were adopted by the Southeastern Col-
orado Water Conservancy District, Colorado Riv- The District’s many ongoing collaborative pro-
er Water Conservation District, Southwestern grams include the 10,825 program to provide
Colorado Water Conservation District and the water for endangered fish species, weather modi-
District Operations Colorado Water Conservation Board in 1960. fication programs, fish habitat recovery pro-
grams, as well as operation of the Fry-Ark Pro-
The Operating Principles were deemed neces- ject in a socially and environmentally responsible
Water & Storage sary to ensure protection of water resources for manner.
all purposes on the western slope.
As a lingering drought continues in the Colora-
The Operating Principles establish a 34-year do River basin, the District has been an active
limit of 2,352,800 acre-feet of diversions by the participant in statewide discussions on drought
Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, based on a model of contingency planning.
Colorado River Programs 2020 2021 2022 2023
Budgeted expenditures $83,380 $77,234 $79,165 $81,154
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 242021 Business Plan
Water Conservation Plan
Water Supply
Protection and
Water Efficiency
The Water Conser-
vation plan is complet-
ed every five years, as
required under the
Repayment Contract
with the Bureau of
Reclamation. The Colo-
rado Water Conserva-
tion Board requires a
Conservation plan eve-
ry seven years as well. District Remains Steward of a Precious Resource
The District com- The Fryingpan-Arkansas Project Principles were
pleted its last Conser- adopted in 1961, prior to construction of the Pro-
ject itself. They spell out the District’s obligations
vation Plan in 2017.
to Colorado and the United States in managing the
The plan may be
water rights of the Project.
viewed in its entirety
at www.secwcd.com. Since the construction of the Project, state and
national environmental laws have changed as well.
The District produced its first Conservation Plan
in 2005, detailing the history of the Project and the
many activities the District is engaged in to sup-
port the Project. The Conservation Plan became a
District Operations valuable resource key to understanding the role of
the District, the operation of the Project, and the
partnerships that are important to the Operation of
the District. Included in each plan is a summary of but took a fresh approach to make the plan more
municipal and agriculture conservation efforts of readable and user-friendly.
individual entities. The printed summary of the plan is 32 pages,
The 2017 Conservation Plan was a step forward, but hundreds of pages of supporting documents
in that it not only updated past Conservation Plans, are included in the appendices in DVD format.
Water Conservation Plan 2020 2021 2022 2023
Next due in 2022 — — — —
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 252021 Business Plan
Partnerships: Water Quality Monitoring
USGS monitoring
Water Supply
Protection and Pueblo Reservoir
Water Efficiency Arkansas River
The Enterprise is a
cooperating agency Tributaries
with the U.S. Geologi-
cal Survey in the
maintenance of stream
Partnering to Protect a Shared Resource
gauges at key points in The U.S.
Pueblo Geological Survey (USGS) mon-
Reservoir/SECWCD
itors long-term water quality, collects contin-
the Arkansas River ba-
uous specific-conductance data, measures
sin. The Enterprise pays baseline changes, collects streamflow data,
about 70 percent of measures suspended sediment, and tracks
the total costs, while reservoir quality at mainstem Arkansas Riv-
er sites, major tributaries, and Pueblo Reser-
Special Projects
voir.
(Master Contract, AVC
Under one Joint Funding Agreement
and Enlargement) par-
(JFA), 10 sites on the mainstem of the Ar-
ticipants pay about 80 kansas River and one at Pueblo Reservoir
percent of the Enter- are monitored for some or all of the activities
prise costs. listed above. Enterprise funding is paid by
participants in the Enlargement, Excess Ca-
pacity and Arkansas Valley Conduit pro-
grams.
Under a second JFA, there are four moni-
Water & Storage toring sites on tributary streams. Payments
for those sites is collected as part of the En-
vironmental Surcharge on water sales and
AVC storage.
Agreements in the early years of the 2000s
set up these programs as a baseline to meas-
ure the changes in water quality as anticipat-
ed water projects were developed. Moving
into the future, those changes will continue Data collected by the USGS are used for wide-
to be tracked. ranging statewide comparisons (top) or site spe-
cific information (below), and can be found on the
Internet.
Water Quality Expenditures 2020 2021 2022 2023
U.S. Geological Survey Contracts $177,013 $197,049 $174,866 $180,047
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 262020 Business Plan
Financial Studies
Executive Committee Workshop/SECWCD
Core Business
In 2019, the Dis-
Charting a Course for the Future...
trict performed its first The Financial Strategy and Sustainabil- The Board also has deferred decisions
Financial Plan and Cost ity Study in 2019 helped the District and on issues raised by the study, such as the
of Service Study, Enterprise define their fund structures and appropriate charge for storage, Winter
providing a better un- develop future steps for financial plan- water charges, reserve targets and funding
derstanding of financ- ning, budgeting and strategic develop- sources until more information is availa-
es, and a more solid
ment. ble.
rate structure. A major
recommendation was At the conclusion of the study, the One of the recommendations from the
to do a follow-up study Board chose to raise water rates for the Financial Study was to do a follow-up
after three years, in 2020 year, and to look at the possibility of study in three years, or 2022.
2022. The financial revising surcharges in 2020 under the di- During the 2021 year, it is anticipated
study is important for rection of the Finance Committee. that the District’s efforts will be directed
the long-range financial
After the first session on surcharges, the toward finishing the Surcharge Study, and
health of the District,
District was forced into remote meetings gearing up for the next financial study in
as well as assuring fair
under statewide COVID-19 restrictions, 2022. Rates will remain the same as 2020
and equitable treat-
and the surcharge work is still pending. in 2021.
ment of all customers.
Water Rate Study 2020 2021 2022 2022
Update every 3 years $100,000 — $100,000 —
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 272021 Business Plan
District: Headquarters
Core Business
The headquarters
for the Southeastern
Colorado Water Con-
servancy District was
After being fully closed
built in 2000 at the
for more than a month
Pueblo Airport Indus- earlier in the year, the
trial Park. A balance of District Headquarters saw
upgrades and upkeep some needed improve-
keeps it going. ments inside and out in
Pueblo Reservoir/SECWCD
2020.
COVID-19 requires change of plans for offices
Nobody anticipated the strange turn of er, social distancing and keeping the num-
events in 2020 that reshaped how many bers low.
sectors of society do business. Millions of The District shifted its focus from up-
people were suddenly introduced to a new grading presentation systems within the
world where meeting by and large oc- building to obtaining the right technology
curred on a computer screen and employ- and electronic platforms to conduct meet-
ees learned how to work from home rather ings. Within headquarters, offices were
than travel to an office. remodeled to emphasize employee safety
During the entire month of April, Dis- for the day when we are able to return to
trict Headquarters was shut down, as all the building in full strength.
employees worked from home, other than At the same time, the remodeled offices
to attend to essential errands that required will increase security for record-keeping
their presence in the office. As businesses and general business activities.
District Operations
slowly opened, staff presence was limited
to 10-50 percent. In-person meetings will return at some
point, and the changes made in 2020,
In-person meetings and gatherings that which of necessity will carry into 2021,
once seemed routine were turned into lo- will provide a safe, reliable environment
gistical puzzles, requiring masks, sanitiz- for the business of the District.
Headquarters Operation 2020 2021 2022 2023
Operations and Recurring Capital $294,336 $380,173 $391,294 $400,695
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 282021 Business Plan
District: Fleet Management
Core Business
The District main-
tains three vehicles,
which are replaced
every six years on a
rotational basis. Vehi- 2017 Toyota RAV4/SECWCD
cles are needed for
staff attendance at
meetings, and during Driven for Success
working hours while TheReservoir/SECWCD
Pueblo District supplies a car for the use In normal times, District staff routinely
on official District of the Executive Director, as well as two travels to events throughout Colorado.
business. vehicles for staff. The latest purchase was The vehicles are also used for shorter
a Toyota Highlander in 2019. Another trips closer to headquarters on official
vehicle will be purchased in 2021 to re- District business.
place the District vehicle purchased in The District makes it a priority to pur-
2015. chase energy-efficient cars that are prac-
Due to COVID-19 restrictions in 2020, tical for business travel.
travel was cut back from normal levels. Vehicle purchases are listed as recur-
However, as restrictions are eased, it is ring capital in the District Operations
anticipated that travel will resume. fund.
District Operations
District Vehicles 2020 2021 2021 2022
3 vehicles, 6-year rotation — $45,000 — —
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 292021 Business Plan
District: Information Technology
Technology gains new importance in COVID-19 era
Through the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dis-
trict has reacted and implemented change
quickly and effectively.
The District is currently using Zoom as a
communication platform. But, as in any new
process improvement can only enhance the
efficiencies, productivity and effectiveness of
any program.
Core Business
It is hard to argue that in-person meetings
The District con- are the best way to interact and make decisions
tracts for its infor- as a Board of Directors, but recent worldwide
mation technology events have proven that in-person meetings are
services. It is im- not always going to be an option.
portant to all facets of As a society, we are in a transition period,
District and Enterprise from in-person meetings to virtual meetings
and or a combination, where some participants
operations to have up may choose to attend virtually as the safest
-to-date, reliable, and option.
compatible infor- DistrictReservoir/SECWCD
Pueblo staff formed a team to investigate
mation systems. alternatives for onsite and offsite Board of Technology helps advance
Directors and Committee meetings. District
staff investigated different ways to ensure effi- other District goals
cacy and a standard communication platform.
The Team viewed demonstrations of a num- Although the COVID-19 pandemic illustrated
ber of software solutions. And possible hard- the need for change in the way the District
ware solutions, with technological equipment does business, software upgrades tie into
that could be issued by the District to each ongoing District activities:
member of the Board of Directors. The staff
considered the Board member experience as 1) Communications Upgrade: The OnBoard
District Operations well as the attendance of the public or stake- software would allow for an informa-
holders in accordance with all Colorado open tional dashboard for at-a-glance moni-
records and meeting standards. toring.
OnBoard is a Board of Directors Manage-
2) Records Management: Unlimited stor-
ment software that offers one standard location
to maintain the governance, collaboration, age of documents would allow the Dis-
communication, and administration of the trict to begin building a records library.
Board and each Committee. The software is
3) Technology Upgrade: This would be the
easy to use with a dashboard platform that can
be accessed on any device (PC, smartphone, first step toward future technology
tablet, etc.) by login through an Internet goals.
browser. 4) State Laws: Increasingly, the state is
Staff have ensured that OnBoard works with demanding more electronic access to
the District’s current communication software public notifications and record. OnBoard
Zoom and has a connection for any interested provides the tools needed for this job.
stakeholder or member of the public to attend
meetings.
Information Technology 2020 2021 2022 2023
Annual Budgets & Estimates — $8,000 $8,000 $8,000
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 302021 Business Plan
District: Records Management
Core Business
There is a treas- Files, reports and maps stored at District
ure trove of infor- offices need to be electronically availa-
ble.
mation about south-
ern Colorado water
available at District Moving Mounds of Material into Machines
Headquarters. Moving
the information into a
Hundreds of reports, maps, meeting rec- used to prepare printed materials rather
ords and other documents are on file at than recording those materials.
digital format will
District Headquarters, and moving them
save countless hours Pueblo Reservoir/SECWCD Secondly, a standard format and naming
into easily searchable electronic files con-
of research time when system need to be established in order to
tinues to be a goal for the District.
information is need- make filed records relevant to future statt
ed. The District is in- Investigation into the best way to do and Boards. Right now, if one wishes, it is
vestigating the best this will continue in 2021, but we are possible to go into the library and read the
method to transfer moving cautiously so that the best solu- minutes of every Board meeting since
records to a digital tion can be reached. 1958. However, you have to flip through
format. While migrating the paper records into hundreds of pages in bound folders to find
the digital realm seems like a simple sug- that information prior to 2004, when the
electronic versions are more accessible.
gestion, District staff have been careful
about leaping into a document imaging Additionally, the right format needs to
system for several reasons. be chosen. In the early days of the Dis-
Scanning the documents is expected to trict, the height of information technology
be a labor-intensive process. In checking was an IBM Selectric Typewriter. By the
District Operations
with similar entities that have tried to im- 1980s, technology had advanced to bulky
plement electronic libraries, it is easier to computers with enough memory to store
the equivalent of one modern Word docu-
move forward than to attempt to image
ment. Today, information can be retrieved
past documents.
nearly instantaneously from vast store-
For example, the District already has houses on the Internet.
electronic records going back 15-20 years
Finally, information should be available
for budgets, meeting minutes and presen-
on the Internet, in a public or protected
tations to the Board. It is still a tremen-
dous challenge to prioritize records prior form, depending on whichever is appro-
to 2000, when computers more often were priate.
Records Management 2020 2021 2022 2023
Annual Budgets & Estimates $50,000 $50,000 $70,000 —
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District | 2021 Business Plan Page 31You can also read
