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<br />t. <br /> <br />II <br />II <br />I' <br />I <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />:~ <br /> <br />- 3 - <br /> <br />4. ExistinQ Instream Flow Water RiQhts <br /> <br />The Board currently holds instream flow water rights on Hat Creek and East Brush Creek that <br />could benefit from this acquisition. <br /> <br />Case No. Stream Reach <br />5-87CW271 Hat Creek headwaters to <br />East Brush Creek <br /> <br />Amount (cfs) <br />2 (May 1 - Sept. 30) <br />1 (Oct. 1 - April 30) <br /> <br />Approp. Date <br />10-2-1987 <br /> <br />5-77W3627 East Brush Creek Lake Charles to <br />West Brush Creek <br /> <br />7 (May 1- Sept. 30) <br />4 (Oct. 1 - April 30) <br /> <br />7-27-1977 <br /> <br />5. ExistinQ Natural Environment <br /> <br />Hat Creek is classified as a small stream (between 10 to 19 feet wide). Fishery surveys indicate <br />that the stream environment of Hat Creek supports a self-sustaining population of Colorado <br />River cutthroat trout upstream of a series of high-gradient waterfalls located approximately <br />1,000 feet above the Hat Creek Ditch point of diversion. Downstream of these high-gradient <br />waterfalls, Hat Creek provides important resting and refuge habitat for the self-sustaining East <br />Brush Creek brook and brown trout populations (described below). <br /> <br />East Brush Creek is classified as a medium stream (between 20 to 35 feet wide). Fishery <br />surveys indicate that the stream environment of East Brush Creek supports self-sustaining <br />populations of brook and brown trout. <br /> <br />6. Natural Flow ReQime <br /> <br />Hat Creek originates from an elevation of approximately 11,000 feet near the Yeoman Park in <br />the White River National Forest. There is no gaging station on Hat Creek. A water availability <br />analysis performed by CWCB staff in 1985 estimated mean monthly streamflows ranging from <br />1.6 cfs in February to 57 cfs in June. <br /> <br />East Brush Creek also originates in the vicinity of the Yeoman Park in the White River National <br />Forest. Streamflow data from an abandoned USGS gage located upstream of the confluence <br />with Hat Creek (East Brush Creek At Yeoman Park, Near Eagle, Co.) indicates that the mean <br />monthly average for the period of 1965-1972 ranged from 2.5 cfs in February to approximately <br />71 cfs in June. East Brush Creek appears to be a gaining stream as it flows toward Brush <br />Creek. <br /> <br />7. Proposed Use of the Hat Creek Ditch Water RiQht: <br /> <br />The Board could use the acquired right to preserve the natural environment to a reasonable <br />degree in Hat Creek and East Brush Creek in the following reaches: <br /> <br />Hat Creek -- from the headgate of the Hat Creek Ditch downstream approximately 1/2 mile to <br />the confluence with East Brush Creek. <br /> <br />East Brush Creek - from the confluence with Hat Creek downstream to the confluence with <br />Brush Creek. <br /> <br />8. Historic Use and Historic Return Flows of the Hat Creek Ditch Water RiQht <br /> <br />The CWT has provided a report prepared by Tom Williamsen, P.E., attached as Exhibit 4, that <br />provides background and historical use information on the Hat Creek Ditch water right. In a <br />study period spanning 1951 - 2004, diversions were recorded for 23 years. The Ditch has not <br /> <br />Flood Protection. Water Project Planning and Finance. Stream and Lake Protection <br />Water Supply Protection. Conservation Planning <br />