Bill Williams River Diversion Project
Introduction: Lake Havasu City (the City) and Arizona Water Resources, LLC (AWR) have joined together to develop the Bill Williams River Diversion Project (Project) to divert a small part (8,000 AFY average) of water from the Bill Williams River before it enters the Colorado River and is lost to the State of Arizona. The City needs the water to offset likely Colorado River shortages as the elevation of Lake Mead declines. AWR would fund the estimated $50 million construction cost and the City would acquire the Project and its water supply over time, as new development occurs.
Introduction: Lake Havasu City (the City) and Arizona Water Resources, LLC (AWR) have joined together to develop the Bill Williams River Diversion Project (Project) to divert a small part (8,000 AFY average) of water from the Bill Williams River before it enters the Colorado River and is lost to the State of Arizona. The City needs the water to offset likely Colorado River shortages as the elevation of Lake Mead declines. AWR would fund the estimated $50 million construction cost and the City would acquire the Project and its water supply over time, as new development occurs.
The Project consists of a sub-surface diversion facility and fish barrier located in the narrows about 4 miles upstream from the Highway 95 bridge. A pumping plant and 5 mile long 42-inch diameter pipeline would deliver the diverted Bill Williams River water to the CAP. CAP would use the Bill Williams River water and, by exchange, allow Lake Havasu City to divert an equal amount of CAP’s water from the Colorado River.
Refuge Compatibility Determination: Since the diversion facility and short reaches of the pipeline are within the Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge), the US Fish & Wildlife Service must determine whether the proposed Project is compatible with the published purposes and goals of the Refuge. The Project has been configured to assist the Refuge in meeting those published purposes and goals.
The Project would:
* Improve and extend the existing La Paz County road about 0.5 miles to the diversion site, providing improved public access and wildlife viewing opportunities at the mouth of the beautiful canyon area.
* Help the LCR MSCP restore Big River native fishes in the reach of the Bill Williams River between Planet Ranch and the Project diversion site.
* Include a 0.25 mile fire break at the diversion site to protect Project facilities and half of the habitat along the 8 miles of River corridor between Lake Havasu and Planet Ranch.
* Establish a right to appropriate for use by the City a part of the Bill Williams River flow near the lower end of the Refuge. This would prevent new upstream uses and assure that water continues to flow through the Refuge to the diversion site, resulting in protection of Refuge in-stream flows and riparian habitats.
* Improve and extend the existing La Paz County road about 0.5 miles to the diversion site, providing improved public access and wildlife viewing opportunities at the mouth of the beautiful canyon area.
* Help the LCR MSCP restore Big River native fishes in the reach of the Bill Williams River between Planet Ranch and the Project diversion site.
* Include a 0.25 mile fire break at the diversion site to protect Project facilities and half of the habitat along the 8 miles of River corridor between Lake Havasu and Planet Ranch.
* Establish a right to appropriate for use by the City a part of the Bill Williams River flow near the lower end of the Refuge. This would prevent new upstream uses and assure that water continues to flow through the Refuge to the diversion site, resulting in protection of Refuge in-stream flows and riparian habitats.
Contacts:
Lake Havasu City Attorney - Kelly Garry (928) 453-4144
AWR Consulting Engineer - Michael Clinton (702) 807-9071
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