HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.3.8 Water Rights Narrative (09-09-09 Version 1)Williams Production RMT Company GV 82-5 MIR Garfield County, Colorado
Water Demand, Supply and Adequacy
Water usage at the GV 82-5 well pad will be temporary, terminating at the end of well drilling and
completion/ fracturing activities. These activities are scheduled for seven months beginning in late
August/September of 2009 and continuing through March of 2010. Total water demand is estimated to
be approximately 41.5 acre-feet and will include potable water for temporary housing, fire protection,
well drilling and well completion activities. Water use, estimated volumes, return flows and water
sources details are described below. Monthly demand estimates are presented in Table 1.
Potable water will be stored in tanks on the GV 82-5 well pad and delivered through the services of
Down Valley Septic, LLC. The total estimated demand for potable use is 63,600 gallon or 0.195 acre-
feet. This is based on 75 gpcd for four individuals housed at the site. The source of that water is the
Town of Silt's treated municipal water supply. Sewage wastewater at the site will be collected in above
ground vaults or tanks and periodically collected, trucked and disposed at the Town of Silt's wastewater
treatment facility. Down Valley will also provide sewage hauling services from the GV 82-5 well pad to
the Town of Silt. A copy Down Valley Septic LLC's hauler affidavit for both potable water and
wastewater is attached.
Drilling and fire protection water demand, estimated to be 16.57 acre-feet, will be obtained from one of
two sources. During periods of no administrative river calls, free river water will be diverted directly
from the Colorado River or a tributary at or near its confluence with the river. The GV 82-5 well pad is
adjacent to the Colorado River and is located approximately 1.3 miles upstream from the Town of
Parachute, Colorado. This reach has historically been free from river calls during the five month non -
irrigation period of November through March. Eleven acre-feet, of the 16.57 acre-feet drilling and fire
protection demand, will be diverted and utilized during this time period. No return flows to the river
system are anticipated. Historical river calls obtained for the Colorado Division of Water Resources'
website for the period of 1987 through 2009 are attached for reference.
The river call records indicate that during September and October there were historic river calls that
would have restricted free river diversions. In 2002, the entire months of both September and October
were on call by the Grand Valley Canal located in DeBeque Canyon. Drilling and fire protection water
demand and subsequent river diversions are estimated to be 5.57 acre-feet during September and
October. Should a river call be in effect, Williams will initiate a release of "contract water" with the
Colorado River Water Conservancy District (CRWCD) for the amount diverted along with river transit
losses. This release will be coordinated with the Colorado Division of Water Resources. Williams has a
current and valid contract, No. 99-14, with the CRWCD for 200 acre-feet of contract water for municipal
and industrial purposes. None of this water is obligated for current or future projects. Copies of the
CRWCD contract and water rights descriptions; and current invoice and payments by Williams are
attached for reference.
The proposed diversion or pumping rate from the Colorado River is estimated to be approximately one
cubic -foot per second (cfs) or 450 gpm. Physical flow availability in the river appears to be more than
adequate as evidenced by the USGS monthly stream flow summary, attached, for Station 09095500 —
Williams Production RMT Company GV 82-5 MIR Garfield County, Colorado
Colorado River Near Cameo, CO. The Cameo station is the closest measuring site to the GV 82-5 well
pad. The stream flow records indicate average flows ranging from 1,720 cfs in January to 2,130 cfs in
November.
Fracturing water demand, estimated to be 24.75 acre-feet, will be provided from water obtained or
produced from natural gas wells. No return flows to the river system are anticipated. Produced water is
currently unregulated or administered by the Colorado Division of Water Resources. Should new rules
and regulations impact or change the status of produced water, Williams will initiate a release of
CRWCD contract water and divert that water to meet its fracturing water demand.
In summary, total water demands for activities at the GV 82-5 well pad are estimated to be 41.5 acre-
feet. Williams will obligate CRWCD contract water for GV 82-5 well pad activities which are not meet
with free river diversions or produced water sources. The water sources and subsequent proposed
diversions are lawful; adequate for the purposes described herein; physically available; and will not
result in injury to other vested water rights.
Draft Version 1
September 9, 2009
Fox Engineering Solutions