4000

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 4000
• Author: U.S. Department of the Interior.
• Title: Report on Water For Energy in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
• USFW Year: 1974.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

of providing industrial water should be placed under construction
as soon as possible. Potential storage in the White and Yampa
River drainages such as the Yellow Jacket and Lower Yampa Projects,
should be evaluated along with the wild and scenic river potentials
and environmental values and the selected plan implemented as
quickly as possible. The alternative is to rely on private sector
construction which would result in single-purpose water develop-
ments.

2. The Upper Colorado River Basin surface water supply is over-
appropriated. This is especially true in Colorado and Utah where
water rights exceed not only the present water use but also
the long-term potential water supply. Consequently, there is no
meaningful way of reconciling individual appropriations or
group appropriations with present water use figures. With the
supply already over-appropriated, additional water users must
obtain water rights out of these existing established rights in
most cases. The States should begin comprehensive evaluations
of existing water rights with the objective of reconciling present
water uses with established rights. In particular, attention
should be addressed to the abandoned, stale, and inactive
rights.

3. Water requirements for Indian Tribes and Federal lands should
be studied and determined in relation to other water needs.
Potential claims for these should not continue to be addressed
on a future and hypothetical basis.

4. Water regulation and needs associated with the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act Amendments - 1972, can also result in
changes in water utilization in the Upper Basin. Water usage
for environmental purposes such as quality, endangered species,
wild and scenic rivers, recreation, and fish and wildlife must
receive immediate evaluation at both the Federal and State level
to assure equitable considerations within total basin development
programs.

.

In conclusion, sufficient water in the Upper Basin to meet energy
developments and other anticipated needs to the year 2000 will not
be available unless certain State and Federal actions are taken
soon. These actions include strong State leadership in the resolu-
tion of water rights and water allocation actions and the attainment
of efficiency in water use. Additional storage facilities will
be required and augmentation of the supply will be needed through

70