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<br />000576 <br /> <br />CWCS Recreational In-Channel Diversion (RICD) <br />Whitewater Boating Technical Criteria and Policy Manual <br />adopted November 21, 2003 <br /> <br />1. Introduction <br />The CWCB is statutorily required to review water rights applications for recreational <br />in-channel diversions ("RICDs") after an Applicant submits an RICD application to water <br />court. As defined by the legislature in Senate Bill 01-216, an RICD is the "minimum <br />stream flow as it is diverted, captured, controlled, and placed to beneficial use between <br />specific points defined by physical control structures pursuant to an application filed by <br />a county, municipality, city and county, water district, water and sanitation district, <br />water conservation district, or water conservancy district for a reasonable recreational <br />experience in and on the water." The CWCB is required to submit its findings and <br />recommendations to water court regarding an applicant's requested RICD water right. <br /> <br />The Board recognizes that there is a need to develop objective criteria that would be <br />available to applicants for RICDs as guidance for the development of their facilities and <br />applications for the associated water rights. This Technical Criteria and Policy Manual <br />(" Manual") is the CWCB's interpretation of the legislative intent and the responsibility <br />and authority granted to the CWCB. In the future, the Board may adopt some of the <br />criteria suggested in this Manual as formal rules. Through working with technical <br />experts in the field of whitewater course evaluation and design, the CWCB has <br />identified guidance criteria that will assist applicants with their RICD water rights. <br />This Manual is intended to help applicants determine a reasonable flow rate for a <br />recreational course design that utilizes streamflow in the most efficient manner <br />possible. An applicant's use of the guidelines in this Manual will greatly facilitate and <br />streamline the CWCB's consideration of a requested RICD water right. <br /> <br />The primary focus of this Manual is RICD applications for destination-oriented <br />whitewater boating as the main recreation experience sought by applicants. A <br />destination oriented boating course is one that would primarily attract recreational <br />users to come and spend time at that facility. This type of facility allows boaters to <br />engage in recreational activities within the RICD stream reach such as slalom, rodeo, or <br />play boating. This recreational activity is typically the most water intensive. <br />Consequently, this Manual recommends that the minimum streamflow needed for a <br />reasonable recreation experience falls within a specific range as identified below. The <br />CWCB recognizes that there may be other recreational experiences where a different <br />minimum stream flow may be appropriate. <br /> <br />2 <br />