SPDSS_Task5_KeyStructure_StraightCreekTunnel

• Title: SPDSS Task 5 - Key Structure, Straight Creek Tunnel
• Description: The Straight Creek Tunnel Tunnel has been identified as a key structure for the South Platte Decision Support System ‎(SPDSS)‎ consumptive use and surface water modeling efforts. The purpose of this Task 5 memorandum is to document physical, legal, and operational aspects of those key structures identified.
• Decision Support - Doc Type: Task Memorandum
• Date: 4/6/2004
• DSS Category: Surface Water
• DSS: South Platte
• Basin: South Platte
• Contract/PO #: C153954
• Grant Type: Non-Reimbursable
• Bill Number: SB01-157, HB02-1152, SB03-110, HB04-1221, SB05-084, HB06-1313, SB07-122
• Prepared By: Leonard Rice Engineering

Compact and Other Legal Considerations:
In compliance with the Decrees entered in Case
No. W-211, Water Division No. 5, and Case No. W-37, Water Division No. 1, evidencing
the water rights that attach to those waters , water carried by the St raight Creek Tunnel to
Clear Creek through the east porta l of the Eisenhower Tunnel is administered in Water
Division No. 1 as 35 percent subject to pr iority administration and 65 percent as
developed, non-tributary water.
OPERATIONAL INFORMATION
The Straight Creek Tunnel carries water to Clear Creek year r ound. Peak discharge occurs in
late-June or early-July, typically corresponding with spring runoff. Readings typically cannot
be taken between December and February when winter weather makes the Parshall Flume
inaccessible. However, it is assumed, from th e readings taken in November and March, that
during the winter months flows remain at a base flow amount.
Water carried to Clear Creek through the Strai ght Creek Tunnel flows down Clear Creek to the
Coors Brewing Company plant, lo cated in Golden, Colorado. At the Coors plant, water is
diverted and used by Coors for its decreed purposes.
Where to find more information
Specifics relating to the data collection and f illing processes used in the determination of
the best source of data are presented in the SPDSS Task 4 Memorandum – Identify and
Fill/Resolve Conflicting R ecords for Key Transmountain Diversion Structures.
Additional information on ditch and reservoi r operations within Water District 7 is
presented in the Water District 7 Meeting Notes prepared for SPDSS Task 3 – Identify
Key Diversion Structures.
COMMENTS AND CONCERNS
None.
REFERENCES
1. Personal communications with Gray Samenfink. Water Commissioner Divi sion 1, District 7.
Phone: [phone].
2. Personal communications with Ken Va ught. Coors Brewing Company.
3. Water Right Data. Division of Water Resources. http://water.state.co.us/
4. Winchester, John N. 2001. A Historical View: Transm ountain Diversion Development in
Colorado. Technical paper presented at: Trans Basi n Water Transfers, Proceedings of the
2001 Water Management Conference, US Committ ee on Irrigation and Drainage. June 27 –
30, 2001.
StraightCreekTunnel.doc 7 of 9