Tentative agreement reached on Black Canyon water rights

Posted by egable on June 9th, 2008 filed in Water, National parks

The parties to a seven-year-old lawsuit regarding water rights for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park have reached a tentative agreement, officials said Friday.

If approved by all parties to the mediation and by the Water Court for Water Division No. 4, the proposed agreement will provide the National Park Service with the water right for stream flows in the Gunnison River to protect water-related canyon resources while also maintaining adequate storage in the Aspinall Unit upstream from the park.

The agreement also protects Colorado water users and power customers, while preventing an increased risk of flooding to the city of Delta, officials said.