As Wyoming plans to spend $250 million on two new dams, primarily for agricultural use, the state’s water office warned lawmakers that it will also cost hundreds of millions of dollars to restore existing irrigation canals and infrastructure. Jason Mead, director of the Wyoming Water Development Office, outlined the state’s challenges in remarks Jan. 7 to the Legislature’s Joint Appropriations Committee. … The proposed West Fork or “Battle Lake” dam on Battle Creek [in the Colorado River Basin] above Baggs is expected to cost $150 million. An additional $100 million is estimated for the Alkali Creek reservoir proposed near Hyattville.

Other water infrastructure news:

• The Colorado Sun (Denver): Report: Colorado needs additional $50M annually for water projects, and severance taxes aren’t the answer​