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<br />-8- <br /> <br />feet in the average year for the irrigated meadows and pastures in Colorado. <br /> <br /> <br />Actual inflow-outflow studies in the Laramie River valley over a period of years, <br /> <br /> <br />under present practices and under conditions of increased diversion, might <br /> <br /> <br />finally show an amount of additional depletion somewhat nore or less than that <br /> <br /> <br />arrived -at by this comparison with the North Park area. Hmvever, it furnishes <br /> <br />a basis for a conclusion as to the general magnitude of the increase in stream <br /> <br />depletion on the irrigated meadovm and pastures which might be expected with <br /> <br /> <br />increased diversion. <br /> <br /> <br />In connection with irrigation operations in the Laramie River basin in <br /> <br /> <br />Colorado, there are areas of willows along some of the ditches, in depressions <br /> <br /> <br />within the hay meadows where irrigation water collects, and between the <br /> <br /> <br />boundaries of the meacl:ows and the stream channels through which return flows <br /> <br /> <br />pass when diversions are being made. A detailed survey during the irrigation <br /> <br /> <br />season would be required to determine the exact areas of such willows which might <br /> <br /> <br />be dependent entirely or partially upon irrigation water for their growth. A <br /> <br /> <br />reconnaissance inspection of the valley indicates that willovr areas ~ch might <br /> <br /> <br />possibly be affected ~r increased diversions and on which such a survey would <br /> <br /> <br />be necessary, would amount in the aggregate to bet1"T8en 500 and 600 acres. <br /> <br /> <br />However, even if the irrigation dependent portion of this total acreage were <br /> <br /> <br />finally determined, - the proportion of a full water supply which these willows <br /> <br /> <br />have been receiving since 1942, from irrigation water, vlOuld still be a matter <br /> <br />of conjecture. It is a fact that along stretches of the river vrhere there is <br /> <br /> <br />no irrigation, there are heavy growths of willa-roB e::jending for some distance <br /> <br /> <br />avtay from the stream channel, indicating that ground water is an important <br /> <br />source of willow growth. <br />