WSP08835

• File Number: 8149.100
• Description: Miscellaneous Small Projects and Project Studies - NRCS-Ft Lyon Canal Co Limestone Graveyard Creeks
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 6/2/1993
• Author: Gronning Engineering
• Title: Ft Lyon Canal Company Water Transfer Alternatives Study Phase I Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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TABLE OF CONTENTS [Phase 1: Preliminary Report]

Pa!<!e
Number

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION
Scope and Purpose of the Study ....................................... 1-1

Basin Characteristics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1-1
Description of Study Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1-2
Concurrent Studies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1-2

CHAPTER 2 - ISSUE IDENTIFICATION AND HISTORIC WATER TRANSFERS

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2-1
Water Transfer Process in Colorado. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2-1
Prior Transfer Interest in Ft. Lyon Canal Company Water ..................... 2-3

Issue Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2-5
Ft. Lyon Canal Company Issues .................................. 2-5

Regional Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2-7
Issues for the State of Colorado .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Factors Contributing to Water Sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12

Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
CHAPTER 3 - THE FT. LYON CANAL SYSTEM AND ITS ENVIRONMENT

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3-1
Physical System ................................................... 3-1
Water Rights and Water Storage Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3-4

Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3-6
Historical Diversions and Water Supply .................................. 3-7

Groundwater Supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3-8
Historical Consumptive Use and Return Flows ............................. 3-8

Irrigated Soils .................................................... 3-11
Description of Wildlife and Fisheries .................................... 3-14

Wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
Aesthetics .............'.......................................... 3-15
Water Quality ...... - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
Value of Ft. Lyon Shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18

CHAPTER 4 - FT. LYON SERVICE AREA AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ .. 4-1
Summary Description of Study Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4-1

Historical Background. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4-1
Demographic Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4-3
Population Growth and Decline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4-3

Age of the Population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4-6
Dependency Ratio ................................................. 4-8
Income ......................................................... 4-10
Education ....................................................... 4-11
Mobility and Length of Residence ......................................4-12

Etltnicity .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.12