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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Februmy 2000

CR WCD * Y ~ Rirer Basin Small Reserwir Study * Pai!! * 3

Utah and Wyoming signing a cooperative agreement in 1988 establishing the Recovery
Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin (Recovery
Program). The Recovery Program provides a means of implementing a broad range of measures for
protection and recovery of the endangered fish species in the Upper Colorado River Basin, taking into
consideration existing and future water development.

1.2 PROJECT PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

Current economic constraints and the increasing complexity of environmental pennitting suggest that
the development of future water supplies will likely be accomplished through smaller projects.
Consequently, in late-1998 the River District Board of Directors (Board) requested that the River
District examine small water storage development opportunities within the Yampa River basin.

The objective of this study is to identify and evaluate the feasibility of Yampa River basin residents
developing additional water supplies. In panicular, the Board is interested in identifying several
potential. small storage facilities that would satisfy local demand, instead of one or two large projects
that may be limited in their ability to deliver water for beneficial use. The specific objectives of the
project are:

· To identify small reservoir sites in the Yampa River Basin that can meet existing and
long-term water supply needs.

· To identify projects that may be feasible based on local water demands and water
availability, taking into consideration environmental concerns and in-stream flow needs
of the Recovery Program.

· To identify a recommended project, or projects, that warrant further investigation of
geotechnical conditions, recreational opportunities, water demands, and costs.

A secondary objective of this study was to identify storage opportunities in a participatory manner,
obtaining as much local input as possible. To this end, MW worked closely with Colorado Division
of Water Resources Division 6 (Division 6) Water Conunissioners, River District staff, and local water
users. In addition, several public meetings were held in Moffat Co\U1ty to collect public input on
potential . ~torage locations and to identify users who could benefit from additional storage
opportwutles.

1.3 REPORT ORGANIZATION

The report has been organized into the following sections.

· Section 1- Introduction: Section 1 presents introductory information on the project
including the study area, backgrOtUld information on the Yampa River basin, and project
scope and objectives.

· Section 2 - Water Use and Hydrology: TIlls section describes current water use
characteristics and smnm.arizes basin hydrology.

. Section 3 - Identification and Screening of Potential Small Storage Sites: Potential
small storage sites are identified, by major basin drainage, within this section. In addition,
potential sites are screened and preferred storage locations identified

Montgmery Watson Mining GmqJ ,. P.O. &x 774018 ,. St:atm/;oat Springs, Colorado 80477 ,. [phone]

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