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1 August 2000 CRWCD * Yronpz Rner Basin Small Re now Study - Phase 2 Report * Page ? 6 ' However, recreational water demands are typically not consumptive. Figure 4, Basin Water DWumds, displays the basin irrigated agricultural lands, municipal centers, and major industrial users. The need to assure an adequate water supply for existing and future irrigated agricultural needs in the ' Yampa River basin is the driving force behind this study. Ranching and agriculture are important economic activities in the region. Approximately 1.7 million acres of land in Moffat and Routt counties are dedicated to ranching and agricultural uses (BBC, 1998), with the bulk of ranch lands dedicated to grazing rangeland. Irrigated lands, primarily for hay production, have averaged around 87,000 acres during the 1990's (Ken Holt, personal communication, 1999). ' Hay production supports livestock operations and provides a cash crop for local ranchers. The demand for hay production will remain as long as local ranchers maintain their livestock inventories. The export of basin hay supplements many local ranchers income (BBC, 1998). Local hay has a reputation as premium horse hay, and there is a strong demand for it on the Front Range and throughout the west. Based on cultural and economic significance, hay crops will be a part of the landscape throughout the foreseeable future. The Colorado Division of Water Resources Division 6 (Division 6) water records indicate that existing uses deplete approximately 120,000 ac-ft annually. Irrigation diversions consume the largest amount of basin water, accounting for about 78,000 ac-ft of the annual consumptive use. Diversions ' generally occur between May and October, with the peak demand in July. However, irrigation use in some locations may be constrained by supply in late season and in dry years (Ken Holt, personal communication, 1999). ' BBC (1998) projected that annual depletions may approach 170,000 ac-ft by 2045. However, their study indicates that most new depletions would be associated with municipal and industrial uses. Long-range forecasts suggest that irrigated agricultural uses will remain relatively constant between ' 1999 and 2045 (BBC, 1998). While the BBC report suggests that significant increases in irrigated agricultural are not likely, the CRWCD wants to assure that existing and future agricultural water- supply needs can be satisfied. ' 2.1.3 Recovery Program Based on historic flows and the current depletions, Yampa River basin water users claim that the 1948 Compact would allow in the range of 300,00 to 700,000 ac-ft of additional depletion annually, dependent upon basin flow (T. Wright Dickinson, personal communication, 1999). Biological studies by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (LTSFWS) have suggested that depletions of this magnitude will impact stream flows in the lower Yampa River. The depleted flows could result in sub-optimal conditions for fisheries and potentially adversely affect four native species listed under the Endangered Species Act (USFWS, 1999). The four fish species endemic to the Colorado River basin listed under the Endangered Species Act are the Colorado pikeminnow (P4d lus hKius), bonytail (Gia ekgaw), humpback chub (Gila cyp6), ' and razorback sucker (Xyrau&m tmvw). The Yampa River contains some of the largest remaining areas of natural habitat for these endangered fish species, especially the humpback chub. It also contributes significant flow to habitat areas in the Green River (USFWS, 1999). Concerns were raised ' that strict enforcement of the Endangered Species Act could impact future water development and the allocation of water under existing laws and interstate compacts. This resulted in the Secretary of the Interior, Administrator of the Western Area Power ' Administration, and governors of Colorado, 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). Morugmnery Watson * P.Q Box 774018 * Smw&it SprinA Colorado 80477 *(970) 879-6260 ' W/WP/0711PA-2 Repo