9604

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9604
• Author: Montgomery Watson.
• Title: Yampa River Basin Small Reservoir Study - Final.
• USFW Year: 2000.
• USFW - Doc Type: Steamboat Springs, CO.
• Copyright Material: NO

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February 2000

CR WCD * y ~ Rirer Basin SmaIL Reserwi:r Study * Page . 18

3.3.1 Upper Yampa River

The Upper Yampa River (Upper Yampa) stretches from the headwaters of the Bear River in the
Flattops Wilderness Area in the extreme northeast comer of Garfield County downstream to the
confluence with the Elk River in Routt County. Figure 2 shows the drainage in relation to the overall
basin. The drainage includes watersheds in the southern half of Water District 58. Significant streams
include Bear River, Watson Creek, Hunt Creek, Morrison Creek, Service Creek, Oak Creek, Walton
Creek, Fish Creek and Soda Creek, as shown in Figure 3.

3.3.1.1 Potential Sites in the Upper Yampa River Drainage

Approximately 14 potential small reservoir sites were identified in the Upper Yampa drainage. These
sites were identified in previous studies, recommended as a possibility by Division 6 staff, or were.
identified during the map reconnaissance. Table 5, Potential Small Reserwir Oppartunilies in the Upper
Y tl'I'11p:t RicEr Dra~, presents the streams and potential reservoir sites in the Upper Yampa and
sununarizes the resUlts of the detailed screening process.

The Division 6 irrigation records indicate that Chimney Creek, Bear River, Watson Creek, Lawson
Creek, Whipple Creek, Hunt Creek and Walton Creek, as well as the mainstem of the Yampa River all
support significant irrigated acreages. Discussions with the District 58 water commissioner (E.
Iacovetto, personal communication, 1999) indicated that agricultural users along the Bear River,
Wheeler Creek, Watson Creek, Hunt Creek, Lawson Creek, and Whipple Creek could benefit from
additional storage.

Morrison Creek is not considered water short. However, the hydrology of the creek could easily
support a small reservoir. There are several filings on conditional storage in the drainage. In addition
to the conditional storage filings, there are also several conditional points of diversion on file. A
feeder canal could be constrocted on contour to transfer Morrison Creek streamflow into Little
Morrison Creek and ultimately Stagecoach Reservoir. Any storage facilities or a feeder canal would
provide additional water that could benefit downstream users on the Yampa River.

The Bear River is typically administered each year. There are three existing reservoirs on the Bear
River. There also is one decreed, but abandoned site between Stillwater and Bear Reservoirs.
However, the opportw:1ity for a small reservoir appears limited. Yamcolo Reservoir was recently
enlarged by 500 ac-ft and Upper Yampa Water Conservation District, the operator, apparently has
had a hard time leasing the water to downstream users. However, it may be possible to divert
streamflow from Coal Creek into Yamcolo Reservoir. Coal Creek yields enough water to support a
small reservoir, however, there are no good sites for reservoir construction. There is a potential to
construct a 2,000 to 3,000-foot long feeder canal to transfer Coal Creek water to Yamcolo Reservoir.
The feeder canal could be used as a management tool for the Bear River. It could reduce some of the
downstream administration on the Bear River system and also mitigate problems that Coal Creek peak
flow causes to users with points of diversion on Coal Creek (E. Iacovetto, personal communication,
1999).

Walton Creek is another Upper Yampa tributaty with excellent hydrology that could fill. a small
reservoir each year. There are several conditional storage sites in the upper reaches of the watershed,
all on public land. The Walton Creek, Enterprise, Windsor and Excelsior ditches divert streamflow
for irrigated pasture. The Windsor and Excelsior are typically dry each year by July 10th (E. Iacovetto,
personal communication, 1999). Storage in the drainage could support both agricultural and domestic
uses. The Priest Creek Ranch development has an infiltration gallery that could potentially benefit
from additional water. The Catamount Ranch development could also potentially benefit from
storage in the basin. However, the general public may be against any storage projects in the basin
because of the proximity to Steamboat Springs.

I W,WP/OH/SmJI_SaJy(Dw(rRpt. /2.27.'J9)
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MonIfp11e1y Watson Mining Group -P.O. &x 774018 ". Stettmloat Springs. CoIomJo80477 -[phone]