It is that time of year again, where the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District (UGRWCD) requests diversion records from many of the participants of our Aspinall and Meridian Augmentation programs. Here are some frequently asked questions about this process.
What are Diversion Records?
Diversion records are official logs that document the source, capacity and volume of water extracted or diverted from underground aquifers or surface water connections on a daily, monthly, or annual basis (Data and Information, Colorado Division of Water Resources (CDWR))
Why Diversion Records are important?
Diversion records for wells in Colorado are critical for managing water rights, complying with state laws, and protecting the value of property (Flow Measurement, CDWR). Accurate diversion records also provide a good picture of water use in the Upper Gunnison River basin, which is important as pressure increases on our annual available water supplies.
Why are Diversion Records required?
Providing diversion records ensures that you are in compliance with your well permit which is issued by the Colorado Division of Water Resources. Newer well permits state that “A totalizing flow meter must be installed on the well identified in this permit and should be maintained in a good working order. Permanent records of all diversion must be maintained by the well owner”.
What can happen if I don’t install a flow meter or provide the Diversion Records?
Failing to install flow meters or neglecting to submit required tracking data can result in formal state orders, fines, or losing the right to pump (Flow Measurement, CDWR).
Why is the UGRWCD asking for Diversion Records?
UGRWCD is required to obtain records in order to comply with our augmentation plan. In the well permit issued by the CDWR, the buyer of augmentation water agrees to maintain permanent records of all diversions as reflected by the buyer’s required flow meter recorded by buyer at least monthly. UGRWCD then provides these records to DWR to ensure compliance with our augmentation water right decrees.
