C150059 Feasibility Study - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

tributaries of the North Fork. Since diversions in Lininger Ditch have not been strictly administered in the past they overstate the expected future yield of the water rights that are now being strictly administered by the water commissioner. For instance, in 1976 the Lininger Ditch water right was never in priority June through October yet about 265 acre-feet was diverted. Although these records do not indicate the legal entitlement, the maximum observed diversions for the period of record (on the order of 3 cfs) indicate the physical flow and normal maximum diversion rate. Estimated storage capacity of Lininger Lake, at 3 inches above the outlet invert, is estimated at 470 acre-feet. Table 2 is an estimate of Lininger Ditch diversions with administration that was readily available for the years of 1987 through1996. The estimated diversions are based on the number of days the Lininger Ditch water right would have been in priority (based on State Engineer's Office call records for the mainstem South Platte) times a diversion rate of 2.5 cfs. This too is believed to be a high estimate since available flow in Beaver Creek is not always 2.5 cfs in the late summer. The estimated records clearly show that these Lininger Ditch and Lininger Lake water rights are junior rights whose yield is not dependable for many months in what are considered average years, and no yield in a slightly below normal year (1994). Project Description and Alternatives The purpose of this project is to evaluate alternatives that will allow constant diversions through the summer months to provide a fresh water source to the lake and maintain a fairly constant water level at or near the existing overflow outlet elevation for recreational purposes. The main concept of the altematives is to allow diversions to continue throughout the summer season. When diversions are out-of-priority, depletions resulting from lake evaporation will be replaced with augmentation water. In the event augmentation sources are not sufficient (depending on the seniority and availability of augmentation credits during the season) lake levels will be lowered so that outFlows equal inflows with no net depletions to the stream. This later scenario will require modifications to the existing dam facilities. Four alternatives were considered: 1. The no-action alternative 2. Purchase senior water rights to allow the lake to remain full in all years. 3. Purchase water rights and install a low-level outlet so that the lake can fill more frequently, and be administered during dry years. 4. Purchase senior water rights, install a low-level outlet, and enlarge the dam slightly to allow the lake to remain near its historic high water level in all years. Alfernative No. 1, no-action, was unacceptable since it will result in an order from the Water Commissioner to cut off diversions when not in priority. Evaporation over an extended period of normal water years will result in lake levels that fall to an unacceptable level for recreational purposes, and put the fish population at risk of winter kill. Evaluation of this alternative was done by conducting a simplified monthly reservoir operation study for the years of 1987 to 1996. The results showed that the lake level would drop more than six feet befinreen the years 1991 and 1995, which are considered somewhat normal hydrologic years. The KTC considers a water level drop of six feet to be a significant impact to the recreation value of the lake. The level could result in fish kills and would certainly dry up boat docks. Our preliminary opinion of cost for the no action alternative is zero dollars to implement, however the impact to the KTC members may be lower properry values, and Kenosha Trout Club Page 4 of 9 Feasibility Study - Augmentation Water Purchase 1038KTCO2 March 2001