08 ‎(3)‎

• Board Meeting Date: 11/18/2007
• Description: ISF Section - Contested Instream Flow Appropriation Hearing - Alder Creek
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

Precipitation Data
Staff reviewed local precipitation data sets from a weather station located in the proximity of
Alder Creek drainage. Table 3 shows the water year and the percent of average precipitation
recorded at each site. The average precipitation during the period of 1979 to 1985 is 90 percent
of average, indicating that the period of record for the gage is slightly below average.
Tn61n 3• Prnrinifnfinn llnta ae a nnrrnn}nan nf' ,wnraan
Elevation = 7700
Lat 38 05 00
Long 106 09 00
Station ID: 57337
Station Name: Saguache
Water Year Percent of Average

1979 86%
1980 89%
1981 106%
1982 N o Data
1983 82%
1984 87%
1985 91%

Average 90%
'Precipitation data available for the water years of 1900 through 1999.
Existing Water Right Information
Staff has analyzed the water rights tabulation and consulted with the Division Engineer Office
(DEO) to identify any potential water availability problems. The Alder Creek Ditch (1.5 cfs) is
the lower terminus of this proposed instream flow water right. This ditch has another point of
diversion located within this reach of stream but has not been active for many years. Three
additional decreed surface diversions are located downstream of this segment: Malcolm Ditch, B
Clark Ditch and Means Ditch. Based on this analysis, staff has determined that water is available
for appropriation on Alder Creek, between the BLM-National Forest boundary and the headgate
of the Alder Creek Ditch, to preserve the natural environment to a reasonable degree without
limiting or foreclosing the exercise of valid existing water rights.