WSP10826

• File Number: 8220.131.J
• Description: Yellow Jacket Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Yampa/White
• Water Division: 6
• Date: 4/1/1976
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: Yellow Jacket Project Colorado: Progress Report Part I
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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~ CHAPTER III
M
N

BASIS FOR ANALYSES

Irrigation water requirements

Diversion requirements for project lands are estimated at 3.2 acre-
feet per acre for gravity irrigation and 2.4 for sprinkler application.
These estimates are based on anticipated irrigation efficiencies,
storage, and conveyance losses, and on estimated annual crop requirements
beyond the supply from precipitation.

Fishery flows

Fish flows in the White River have been considered for two locations.
These are the North Fork and at the Colorado-Utah border. The flows for
North Fork have been largely based on the Fish and Wildlife Service
recommendations as revised after publication of the 1972 Feasibility
Report. As part of continuing studies these recommendations are being
re-evaluated by the Colorado Division of Wildlife in conjunction with
the fish and wildlife inventory. The flows that are considered for all
plans in this r~port are shown below.

Minimum flows in the North Fork of White River
(second-feet)
October-November
December-June
July
August
September
Or natural flow--whichever is less

100
120
130
150
130

"

There is no compact between the States of Colorado and Utah con-
cerning the flows of the White River. Because it is realized that there
are, and will be, demands on the river in Utah, the Yellow Jacket Proj-
ect would be operated to provide minimum flows at the State line of 200
second-feet in winter and 300 second-f~et in summer or natural flow
if less. The minimum flows of North Fork are not low enough to prevent
or interfere with the Stateline flows referred to here.

Agricultural Analysis

Land classification

Lands that would be served by the various Yellow Jacket Project alter-
natives presented in this report were selec~ed on the basis of a detailed
land classification survey completed by the Bureau of Reclamation in 1964.
This survey covered all lands that could practicably be considered in
formulating the project plan. It included a total of 140,460 acres, of
which 39,180 acres were considered arable, 100,230 nonarable, and 1,050
acres allowed for rights-of-way. Arable lands in the project area are
summarized in the following table.

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