Why the tiny Shoshone Power Plant’s matters for Colorado River water rights
… This year Western Slope leaders, led by the Colorado River District, struck a $99 million deal to buy a tiny hydro plant’s water rights from Xcel Energy and lease the water back to Xcel to generate electricity. As part of the deal, Shoshone’s rights would become the largest, most influential environmental water right in state history. The change would protect fish and habitat, but it would also beef up water security on the Western Slope by protecting reliable westward flows for farmers and tourist economies. … The Colorado River District’s plan has drawn hawk-eyed attention from water players around the state who are keen on protecting their supplies.
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