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 " Yampa Rrw- Basm Small Re=r:r study "Pa[f' * 31

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The Williams Fork annual yield to the Yampa River is approximately 145,000 ac-ft/year
(I-iydrosphere, 1993), with East Fork and South Fork contributing about 75 percent of the
streamflow.

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3.3.5.1 Potential Sites in the Williams Fork River Drainage

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Irrigated land is located in all the major tributaries and along the mainstem Williams Fork.
Agricultural users generally have adequate water supplies with the exception of Morapos Creek (W.
Bohrer, personal communication, 1999; Hydrosphere, 1993). Several reservoir sites, generally in
excess of 10,000 ac-ft of storage, were identified in previous studies (K. Holt, personal
communication, 1999; Hydrosphere, 1993.

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Approximately 14 potential small reservoir sites in the Williams Fork drainage were identified and
examined. These sites were recommended as a possibility by Division 6 staff, identified in previous
studies, or identified during the map reconnaissance. Table 9, Potential Smdl Resenuir Opportunities in the
Wzlliams Fork Riz:er DrainafI!, presents the streams and potential small reservoir sites in the Williams
Fork and summarizes the results of the detailed screening process.

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3.3.5.2 Williams Fork River Drainage Sites Retained for Further Consideration

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Of the 14 potential sites identified in the Williams Fork drainage, three sites appear to warrant further
examination. These sites provide the greatest potential to meet short- and long-term agricultural
needs. The three retained sites include:

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· Salt Creek
· Deer Creek # 1

· Monument Butte

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The locations of these potential small reservoir sites are shown on Figure 9, Potential Sites in the
Wzlliams Fork Riz:er Study A rea..

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3.3.6 Little Snake River

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The Little Snake River (Little Snake) flows along the western slopes of the Sierra Madre Range in
northern Routt County. The river is fed by several tributaries that drain the Elkhead Mountains in
Moffat and Routt counties, as well as portions of south-central Wyoming in Carbon and Sweetwater
counties. The Wyoming portion of the drainage were not included in this study. Figure 2 shows the
drainage in relation to the overall Yampa River basin. Major tribut;uy streams, in Colorado, include
Middle Fork Little Snake, South Fork Little Snake, Willow Creek, Slater Creek, Fourmile Creek,
Powder Wash, and Sand Wash, as shown in Figure 3.

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Montg:rnery Watson Mining Group * Po. &x 774018 * StedJ?1i:x:Jat Springs, Colorado 80477 * [phone]

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