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e e . . . Precipitation Data Staff reviewed local precipitation data sets from 2 different sites located around the Red Dirt Creek Drainage (see Precipitation Data in Appendix C). These sites include Glenwood Springs and Shoshone. Table 3 shows the water year and the percent of average precipitation recorded at each site. Table 3: Precipitation Data as a percentage of Average. Yampa "IcA Eagle FAA "IcA 0 verage 0 verage 1965 93% 77% 1966 58% 86% 1967 84% 110% 1968 80% 84% 1969 103% 114% 1970 75% 100% 1971 79% 141% 1972 102% 152% 1973 98% 137% Average 86% 111% Table 3 shows a slight variation of precipitation between the two precipitation sites. It is staffs opinion that the 8 years of stream-flow data analyzed is representative of average water-years. Existing Water Right Information Staff has analyzed the water rights tabulation and consulted with the Division Engineer Office to identify any potential water availability problems. There are no decreed surface diversions within this reach of stream. There are no decreed water rights within the proposed reach. However, there are numerous water rights located upstream. Grimes Brooks Reservoir is located near the top of the watershed and can store 426 acre feet. The reservoir has several feeder ditches that capture runoff both within the Red Dirt Creek watershed and outside of the Red Dirt Creek watershed. The reservoir releases water to the Grimes Ditch (Decreed for 10.3 cfs) which diverts the water into the Antelope Crek Drainage and is used to irrigate lands in that watershed. There are also numerous ditches located upstream of the proposed segment that are used to irrigate lands within the Red Dirt Creek watershed which produce delayed return flows from irrigation resulting in reliable water supplies for the proposed reach. In addition, water rights that are senior to all of the decreed water rights within the Red Dirt Creek watershed are located downstream on Rock Creek, to which Red Dirt Creek is tributary. During times of short water supply, these senior water rights may help to insure that water is delivered through the proposed reach. Based on this analysis staff has determined that water is available for appropriation on Red Dirt Creek, from State Highway 131 1:0 Rock Creek, to preserve the natural environment to a reasonable degree without limiting or foreclosing the exercise of valid existing water rights. - 5 -