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South Platte River Task Force Briefing Document Elevation ranges from 3,400 to 14,000 + feet above sea level Í Approximately 1 million irrigated acres Í Native flows for total basin estimated to be 1,400,000 acre-feet annually by the Í USGS Transmountain water provides approximately another 400,000 acre-feet per year Í Ground water pumping from high capacity alluvial wells located along the South Í Platte River provide just over 500,000 acre-feet annually under full allocation. Total surface water diversions equal approximately 4,000,000 acre-feet per year, Í including multiple uses of return flows from upstream diversions of native water, reservoir deliveries as well as trans-mountain imported water. From 1995 to 2007 the number of decreed plans for augmentation has gone from Í a little over 400 to over 750. From 1995 to 2007 the number of mainstem call changes has gone from 40 to Í 160, year round. This is a result of better streamflow information and increased value of water. From 1995 to 2007 the number of water rights for which daily diversions are Í recorded has gone from 3250 to almost 4900. This is in large part a result of junior recharge projects coming online and decreed augmentation plans and changes of water rights that require daily recording of diversions. Operation of Wells ¼ 2 Approximately 9,000 decreed high capacity wells in South Platte River basin and Í its tributaries on record. Less in actual existence Have inventoried approximately 7,400 large capacity wells Í Still verifying use of remaining 1,600 wells (verification is starting near the river Í and moving out; it is estimated that 80% of these wells are in existence, but only 15% are being used) For 2007, the anticipated number of Division 1 Substitute Water Supply Plans Í (“SWSPs”) with wells that will operate in 2007 is approximately 125. (This only includes SWSPs per 37-92-308 with wells.) Approximately 1,300 wells are included in these 125 plans. The number of wells operating in decreed augmentation plans in Division 1 is Í approximately 3,700. Some wells are operating at reduced levels in 2007. 968 of these wells are Í members of Central’s Groundwater M anagement Subdistrict (“Central GMS”) and are operating at 30% of average. As described in more detail later, the trial regarding the augmentation plan for Í Central’s Well Augmentation Subdistrict (“Central WAS”) ended on May 3, 2007. A ruling from the Water Judge is not expected for several months. Until then, the 219 wells remaining in this plan are not allowed to operate. Well Replacement Requirements During Non- Irrigation Season (Winter, or Reservoir ¼ Storage Season) State Engineer will no longer allow delayed aggregated replacement to occur if Í there is a reservoir call, unless it is specifically permitted by statute or the court. Aggregated replacement means that small daily replacement obligations are not 2 The term “high capacity” generally refers to wells ca pable of diverting at rates of 50 gallons per minute (gpm) and higher. However, many irrigation wells operate at rates of 1000 to 2000 gpm (2.28 to 4.46 cubic feet per second). - 10 -