WSP10841

• File Number: 8200.760
• Description: Yampa River General
• State: CO
• Basin: Yampa/White
• Water Division: 6
• Date: 1/1/1993
• Author: Hydroshpere
• Title: Yampa River Basin Alternatives Feasibility Study - Executive Summary - Draft - January 1993
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents .. ....................... ............. .............. ..................... ............. ........... .........i
List of Figures...... ...... .................. .............. .................................... ............. ..... .......... iv
List of Tables ............................... ................... ....................... ~..... ................ ............... v
Appendices........... ~................................................................................................... vii

CHAPTER 1 - Introduction

Background.............................................................................................................. 1-1
The Yampa River Basin .................................................................................... 1-1

The Juniper Project ... ........ ........ .............................. ...... ................ ......... ... ....... 1-1
The Endangered Fishes ..................................................................................... 1-4
The Recovery Program ...................................................................................... 1-4
Study objectives....................................................... .................................................. 1-5
Public Involvement.... .............. .................................. ...................................... 1'{)
Organization of Report.......... .................................................... ............................ ...... 1'{)

CHAPTER 2 - Hydrology and Water Rights
Hydrology of the Yampa River Basin.............................................................................. 2-1

General... ...................................................................................................... 2-1
Water Resources Development .............................. .............................................. 2-1

Streamflow.................................................................................................... 2-4
Water Rights of the Yampa River Basin........................................................................... 2-5

Background.................................................................................................... 2-5
Key Basin Water Rights .................................................................................... 2'{)
Use of Juniper Rights for Instream Flow......................................................................... 2-11
Subordination of the Juniper Water Rights ............................................................ 2-11
Transfer of Portions of the Juniper Rights ............................................................. 2-14

CHAPTER 3 - Water USElS and Needs

Background................................................................................................,............. 3-1
Regional Economic and Demographic Profile.......................................................... 3-1

Agriculture...... ... .. ................................. ........................................................ 3-2
Municipalities ................................................................................................. 3-2
Industry.......... ............................................ .................................................. 3-3
Tourism and Recreation .................................................................................... 3-4
Current Water Use........................... ............. ........... ............................................ ...... 3-4
Principal Information Sources ............................................................................. 3-4

Agricultural Water Use ..................................................................................... 3-5
Power Generation Water Use.............................................................................. 3'{)

Mining Water Use ................................... ........................................................ 3-7
Municipal Water Use.................................................................................. ...... 3-8
Tourism and Recreational Water Use .....................................................................3-8

Other Water Uses ............................................................................................ 3-8
Summary of Current Water Use .......................................................................... 3-11
Projection of Future Water Needs ..... ............................................................................ 3-14
Economic Development Plans..................... ................ ....................................... 3-14
Population Growth Estimates ....................................................... ...................... 3-15
Near Term Water Demands (Year 2015) ...............................................................3-17
Long Term Water Demands (Year 2040) ..............................................................3-18
Sensitivity Analysis Using Lower Population Growth Rates ....................................... 3-19
Future Recreational Water Needs ........................................................................ 3-19

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