Engineering: city has ~1,510 acre-feet of water rights; new well hit water at ~220 feet
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Summary
Engineering staff told the council the city holds about 1,510 acre-feet of water rights across multiple sources, used ~827 acre-feet in 2025, and reported a new well logged water at roughly 220 feet; council asked for annual usage reports and midyear tallies as wells come online.
City engineering staff updated the Gunnison City Council on water rights and the status of a recently drilled well during the April 1 meeting.
Kelly, the city’s engineering presenter, said the city’s combined water rights total just over 1,510 acre-feet from multiple sources including Bartholomew Well, Christensen Wells, Peacock Springs (about 510 acre-feet of the total), Little 9 Mile Springs and the Tarkanian Well. Kelly said the city diverted about 827 acre-feet in 2025, well under the total entitlements.
“Really, the most important thing is the cumulative total,” Kelly said, noting all city rights share points of diversion and that the city reports usage to the state annually. Kelly recommended an annual report to the council and suggested a midyear tally when new wells come online to ensure the city does not unintentionally exceed cumulative rights.
Council members asked whether using more water from a newly developed well could reduce the amount available from Peacock Springs and whether turning irrigation shares into culinary rights was permissible under current bylaws. Kelly said irrigation shares and culinary rights are treated differently and that conversion rules would depend on water-rights instruments and state approvals.
Kelly also updated the council on drilling: initial logs show the new well hit water at about 220 feet, and crews are collecting more detailed logs. Council requested Kelly provide a similar usage report next year and to perform midyear checks as the city brings additional sources online.