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Basin Context: The Arkansas River originates in the central mountains of Colorado near Leadville, then travels eastward through the southeastern part of Colorado toward the Kansas border. The Arkansas Basin is spatially the largest river basin in Colorado, covering slightly less than one-third of the state’s land area. A large amount of land is devoted to agriculture, with one-third of agricultural lands requiring irrigation. Increasing urbanization is occurring throughout portions of the Arkansas Basin, and in the recent past, persistent drought has heavily affected the basin.
BIP Update Background & Next Steps: Following on the heels of the release of the Colorado Water Plan in 2015, staff began working on the next update to the statewide water supply initiative or SWSI. The next SWSI effort was rebranded as the Analysis and Technical Update to the Colorado Water Plan (Technical Update) after gathering roundtable input and realizing that SWSI and the Basin Implementation Plans (BIPs) are core components of the Colorado Water Plan (Water Plan).
The Arkansas Basin Roundtable's BIP was first developed prior to the release of the Water Plan and is being updated as part of the larger BIP and Colorado Water Plan (Water Plan) update. As with the other basins, the BIP is slated to be completed in 2021 and will fold into the Water Plan update that's scheduled for completion in 2022.
Like the Technical Update, the BIPs and Water Plan will follow a similar format of having a shorter more accessible Volume 1 strategy document and a longer Volume 2 document that will contain the original BIP and other supporting information.
Basin Context: The Arkansas River originates in the central mountains of Colorado near Leadville, then travels eastward through the southeastern part of Colorado toward the Kansas border. The Arkansas Basin is spatially the largest river basin in Colorado, covering slightly less than one-third of the state’s land area. A large amount of land is devoted to agriculture, with one-third of agricultural lands requiring irrigation. Increasing urbanization is occurring throughout portions of the Arkansas Basin, and in the recent past, persistent drought has heavily affected the basin.
BIP Update Background & Next Steps: Following on the heels of the release of the Colorado Water Plan in 2015, staff began working on the next update to the statewide water supply initiative or SWSI. The next SWSI effort was rebranded as the Analysis and Technical Update to the Colorado Water Plan (Technical Update) after gathering roundtable input and realizing that SWSI and the Basin Implementation Plans (BIPs) are core components of the Colorado Water Plan (Water Plan).
The Arkansas Basin Roundtable's BIP was first developed prior to the release of the Water Plan and is being updated as part of the larger BIP and Colorado Water Plan (Water Plan) update. As with the other basins, the BIP is slated to be completed in 2021 and will fold into the Water Plan update that's scheduled for completion in 2022.
Like the Technical Update, the BIPs and Water Plan will follow a similar format of having a shorter more accessible Volume 1 strategy document and a longer Volume 2 document that will contain the original BIP and other supporting information.
From 2014-2015 the basis created the original BIPs.
2017 - TAGs
Arkansas Basin Plan has finished this stage
Basin-led Technical Advisory Groups discuss SWSI.
2018 - Basin Input & Scoping
Arkansas Basin Plan has finished this stage
The 6 month basin Implementation Working Group begins; makes recommendations in the Technical Update.
2019 - Tech Update & C-9 Summit
Arkansas Basin Plan has finished this stage
The Technical Update released & Colorado's 9 Basin (C-9) Roundtables met in Winter Park.
JAN 2020 - Basin Plan Kick-off
Arkansas Basin Plan has finished this stage
Basins work to select local experts; update Basin Implementation Plans by the end of 2021.
APR 2020 - Basin Contractors
Arkansas Basin Plan has finished this stage
All basin contractors (local experts) are in place; begin exploring project status and basin needs.
JUL 2020 - WIG Announced
Arkansas Basin Plan has finished this stage
Governor Polis' Wildly Important Goal announced in support of basin efforts.
SEPT 2020 - BIP Work Plans Set
Arkansas Basin Plan is currently at this stage
JUN 2021 - WIG Status Due
this is an upcoming stage for Arkansas Basin Plan
Governor Polis' WIG around water sets a goal to identify 500 projects that are ready to launch, have good data and represent all areas of the Water Plan is due by June of 2021.