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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Monthly tabulations of t\.1e water supply for the Ft. Lyon Company system from the Arkans~s River,
Horse Creek Reservoir, Adobe Creek Reservoir, and Qu~en Reservoir are presented in Table A3.3 of
Appendix 3. Fryingpan-Arkansas project water allocatio/l as well as any minor sources of supply such
as annual leases are included in the direct flow water right tabulation. An annual summary of water
supplies available by source is shown in Table 3.6. The average system yield in Table 3.4 is 211,597
acre-feet and the total surface supply ranges from 94,145 to 383,056 acre feet annually over the 1950
to 1985 period.

For the purpose of determining yield, data in the surface column of Table 3.6 is analyzed in an
emperical distribution with 36 data points. The result is presented in Figure 3.2. The probability, also
termed reliability, of divertable yield is determined. F~r example, the ninety percent (P = 1.0 - .90
= 0.1) reliable annual flow is about 110,000 afper year! i.e., a minimum flow of 110,000 af annually
should be available 90 percent of the time.

Groundwater Suooly

Groundwater is used as a supplemental source of water supply by individual shareholders under the
Ft. Lyon Canal. Total monthly pumping under the Ft. Lyon Canal within Reach 3 and Reach 4 has
been summarized and is included in Table A3.4 of AppJndix 3. Ground water pumping presented in
Table 3.6 averaged 26,347 acre-feet annually and adds ~2% to the total water supply of the system.

At the present time ground water pumping is extensively regulated by the State Engineer's Office.
Rules and regulations promulgated by the State Engineer's Office require full augmentation of all wells
installed subsequent to July 1, 1972. For wells installed prior to this date pumping is allowed only 3
of every 7 days provided other appropriators are not adversely affected. Temporary substitute supply
plans are utilized to allow the wells constructed prior:to July 1, 1972 to pump on additional days.
(Order of the State Engineer 1972) The Colorado Water Protective and Development Association is
the temporary plan for the reach of the Arkansas Riiver from Pueblo Reservoir to John Martin
Reservoir. The Lower Arkansas Water Management ASsociation is the temporary plan for the reach
of the river from John Martin Reservoir to the Colorado/Kansas state line. (Witte 1993)

Historical Consumotive Use and Return Flows

A calculation of the average water consumption and return flows for the Ft. Lyon Canal Company
system was developed by Duane D. Helton of Helton 8/ Williamsen, PC and is included as Table A3.5
of Appendix 3. These calculations were based on data jand analyses which were prepared as a result
of the Kansas vs. Colorado litigation. The Helton analysis was prepared for the compact years 1950
through 1985. The crop consumptive use and soil eva~oration for water from Queen Reservoir were
calculated using the same efficiency as the direct flow 'diversions. (Helton 1993). The average crop
water consumption for the study period for the Ft. Lyon Canal Company system is summarized below.