WSP10998

• File Number: 8135.300
• Description: Ditch Companies - Catlin
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 1/1/1975
• Author: Richard Luckey USGS
• Title: US Department of the Interior - Geological Survey - Hydrologic Effects of Reducing Irrigation to Maintain a Permanent Pool in the John Martin Reservoir - Arkansas River Valley - Colorado
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

.

0741

SUMMARY

The Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife,

has acquired 11.24 percent of the shares in Catlin Canal in order to

7 3
maintain a permanent pool of about 10,000 acre-feet (1.2xlO m) of water

in John Martiu Reservoir. The U.S. Geological Survey was asked to evaluate

the effects of this plan on the hydrologic system in the Arkansas River

valley. A model developed for testing management alternatives was used

to evaluote this change in water use plan.

The 25-year period from 1949 through 1973 was simulated. In

simulating the change in water use, the following assumptions were made:

-

1. Only the consumptive use (77 percent) of the Division's water

would be transferred to the reservoir. The recharge (23 percent) would

- I

be returned to the river.

.:

2. T'l.Ie Division would be charged a river loss or Q.07 percent per

-

mile (total loss 2.5 percent) for transporting the water down the river

to the reservoir.

3. Evaporation from the reservoir would be proportioned between the

permanent pool and the nonpermanent pool on the basis of their respective

volumes.

4. Irrigators under ~he Catlin Canal would not be allowed to pump

water to make up for the 11.24 percent of the shares that were sold to the

Division of Wildlife.

5. The Division of Hildlife did not claim any of the imported water

that belonged to the Catlin Canal.

6. The pool size waS limited to 15,000 acre-feet (1.9XI07 m3) provided

.'"

that the flood-control pool was not invaded by more than 10,000 acre-feet

7 3
(1. 2xlO m) .

23

.J'