The Green River in Southwestern Wyoming, the largest tributary to the Upper Colorado River, is being targeted as a source of new water supply and source of hydropower for southeastern Wyoming and the Front Range of Colorado. The proposal to withdraw 250,000 acre-feet (AF) of water from the Green River and Flaming Gorge Reservoir would help meet projected water supply needs through 2030 and beyond. Referred to as the “Regional Watershed Supply Project” (RWSP), the proposal comes from Million Conservation Resource Group (MCRG) a private firm run by Aaron Million, who intends to sell water from its project to municipalities, agriculture, and industry as far south as Pueblo, Colorado.

Components of the RWSP:

- Withdrawal Facilities- Two water withdrawal facilities would be used, one on the east side of Flaming Gorge Reservoir and one on the east bank of the Green River 200 feet downstream of the Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge;

- Withdrawal Volumes- The total estimated annual withdrawal from the two diversion points are 165,000 AF from Flaming Gorge and 85,000 from the Green River. In average and wet years, the green River volumes increase to 157,000 AF and 197,000 AF respectively;

- Pipelines - approximately 578 miles of pipeline as wide as 120 inches would extend from the diversion points to Southeastern Wyoming, and South along Colorado Front Range to Pueblo, Colorado;

- Pump Stations - Approximately 16 natural gas-powered pump stations would be located along the route;

- Storage and Delivery Systems - Three water storage systems, including a new 185,00AF reservoir near Fort Collins, Colroado would be used to store water from the Project. Delivery systems will be determined once specific water users are identified;

If the proposed project becomes a reality, it would have irreparable environmental impacts to Flaming Gorge Reservoir and the Green River, and negative recreational and economic impacts to the region. The Green River is home to a world-class trout fishery and is a highly valued recreation destination for people throughout the West. Withdrawing 250,000 additional acre-feet each year from the Colorado River Basin would intensify the scarcity of an already over-tapped resource. The Colorado River rarely flows to its delta in the Gulf of California. American Whitewater is tracking this project - stay tuned for updates and ways you can be involved.