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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Febrnary 2000

CR weD 'f Y CIJ17fU Rn:er Basm Small ReserJJ1Y study 'f ParI' . 27

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Elkhead and Fortification Creeks drain the south facing aspects of the Elkhead Mountains. These
two drainages yield approximately 103,000 ac-ft/year of flow to the Yampa River. Most nmoff
occurs as spring snowmelt flow. Elkhead Creek contributes approximately two-thirds of the total
inflow. Milk Creek and its tributaries drain north facing aspects of the Danfonh Hills and the
topographic divide that separates the Yampa River and White River basins. Milk Creek yields an
average of 30,000 ac-ft/year to the Yampa River.

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3.3.4.1 Potential Sites in the Lower Yampa River Drainage

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There is a significant amount of irrigated acreage in the Elkhead Creek, Fortification Creek and Milk
Creek watersheds. Other drainage tributaries support only minor acreage of irrigated agriculture.
Division 6 staff indicates that users are water short on Elkhead Creek, Fortification Creek and Milk
Creek (W. Bohrer, personal communication, 1999). Previous studies have evaluated numerous sites in
all three watersheds (Hydrosphere, 1993; Kent Holt, personal communication, 1999).

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The Lower Yampa drainage appears to have the best opportunities for satisfying the primary study
objective of providing additional storage for irrigated agriculture. Not only are several tributaries
water short, but there may be opportunities for additional irrigated agricultural production if adequate
water supplies existed. Approximately 30 potential small reservoir sites were identified in the Lower
Yampa drainage. These sites were identified in previous studies, recommended as a possibility by
Division 6 staff, or identified during the map reconnaissance. Table 8, Potentid Small Re5e'IWir
Opjx;rtunities in the Lm.a:r Yampa Riu:r Drainage, presents the streams and potential reservoir sites in the
Lower Yampa and summarizes the results of the detailed screening process.

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3.3.4.2 Lower Yampa River Drainage Sites Retained for Further Consideration

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The Lower Yampa tributaries appear to have the best opportunities for the development of additional
storage. Of the original 30 potential sites identified in the Lower Yampa drainage, seven potential
reservoir sites warrant further examination. These sites were retained based on existing and potential
future agricultural and recreational opportunities. The seven sites are:

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. Elkhead # 1
. Rampart Reservoir
. Little Bear # 1
. Three Points
. Thornburgh
. Good Spring
. Big Gulch # 1

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The locations of these potential small reservoir sites are shown on Figure 8A and 8B, Potmtial Sites in
the Lm.a:r Yampa Riu:r Study A rea.

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3.3.5 Williams Fork River

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The Williams Fork River (Williams Fork) headwaters are in the nonheastem portion of the White
River Plateau. It flows nonh and west before joining the Yampa River approximately five miles
downstream of Craig. Figure 2 shows the drainage in relation to the overall Yampa River basin. This
drainage is located in the nonhern part of Rio Blanco COlll1ty, and the southern part of Moffat and
Routt colll1ties. Major tributary streams include East Fork Williams Fork (East Fork), Willow Creek,
South Fork Williams Fork (South Fork), Waddle Creek and Morapos Creek, as shown in Figure 3.

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MarztgJnery Watson Mining Group '" Po. &x 774018 '" StePml:oat Springs, Colorado 80417 '" [phone]

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12/27/99SLW