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Spring runoff in the Carnero Creek basin typically begins at the beginning of May and quickly <br />peaks at between 60 and 100 cfs. La Garita Creek generally peaks soon after, with flows between <br />60 and 180 cfs. <br />District 27 is administered completely independent from the Rio Grande. Carnero Creek and La <br />Garita Creek are not tributary to the Rio Grande and the surface flows eventually disappear into <br />the basin alluvium if not consumed immediately by agriculture. District 27 is not affected by <br />administration of the Rio Grande Compact. <br />Stream Flow Measurement Points <br />There are two stream flow measurement points within District 27. There is a gage on La Garita <br />Creek west of the road to La Garita (ID No. 8231000). There is also a gage on Carnero Creek (ID <br />No. 8230500). <br />Direct Flow Water Rights and Ditch Capacity Issues <br />There are approximately 50 decreed surface water diversion points within District 27. Except <br />during the run-off season in May, diversions are constrained by the limited surface water flows in <br />these small streams. However, until approximately 1988 there was unappropriated flood water <br />during the peak flow week in May. <br />The limited surface flows have motivated many irrigators in District 27 to use sprinkler systems <br />supplied by shallow wells. A portion of water from direct flow diversions, after irrigation use, is <br />used to recharge the groundwater aquifer. <br />Another issue is the desire to protect the Rio Grande Canal structure from excessive flows from <br />these two creeks. The canal running to the north along the edge of the hills crosses and blocks the <br />old creek channels. Instead there exists a small flume over the canal for Middle Carnero Creek <br />and a large siphon under the canal for La Garita Creek. Excessive flows could potentially <br />damage the canal banks, so as a result another objective of surface diversions is to dissipate <br />excess flows prior to reaching the flume or siphon. <br />Use of direct flow rights typically begins during April and lasts as long as surface flows are <br />available. <br />The District Commissioner is aware of several diversions structures and canal systems that have <br />physical capacities that are either less or more than their total decreed water rights. The Biedell <br />#2 Ditch, for example, is decreed for only 2.34 cfs but can carry 20 cfs. Often the excess ditch <br />capacity is used to help dissipate excess and undiverted flows and recharge the shallow <br />groundwater even though not specifically decreed. The Commissioner indicated that examination <br />of historical diversion records may well be the best indicator of actual capacities of some of the <br />diversion structures in the district. <br />Mr. Alspaugh created line diagrams for La Garita and Carnero Creeks and they are provided as <br />Attachments 1 and 2. <br />C:Acdss\D27 Mem.doc District 27 Interview July2, 1999 -Page 2 of 5 <br />