9370 ‎(2)‎

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9370
• Author: Colorado Water Workshop.
• Title: 1996 Colorado Water Workshop.
• USFW Year: 1996.
• USFW - Doc Type: Western State College of Colorado.
• Copyright Material: NO

Over the years, the Board has strived to achieve a balance between water development demands and reasonable
protection for the natural environment. Following are highlights of some of the Board's activities:

. 1973 Fry-Ark Proiect - Some of the first streams protected under the program were west slope streams in Pitkin
County immediately downstream from Fry-Ark diversion structures. Instream flow appropriations facilitated
settlement of environmental concerns as a result of that transbasin diversion project.

. 1980 - Windy Gap Proiect - Instream flow appropriations on the mainstem Colorado River protected flows
downstream from Windy Gap and were an integral part of the Northern District's settlement with Middle Park
water users.

. 1985 - Summit County A2reements - The Board and various entities in Summit County entered into a series of
agreements which provided instream flow protection for local streams while allowing ~rtain levels of
snowmaking diversion and water development to proceed in the County. These agreements provided the basis for
the County and Ski Areas to meet N.E.P.A. requirements and secure Green Mountain Reservoir water service
contracts from the Bureau of Reclamation, and allowed the Board to preserve the high quality fisheries in the
Blue River and its tributaries.

· 1990 - Boulder Creek Donation - The Board and City of Boulder entered into a Donation Agreement which
conveyed various senior water rights to the Board for instream flow uses in Boulder and North Boulder Creeks.
Most years, the July streamflow through town drops to 1 cfs as a result of irrigation demands. The donated
rights have allowed the Board to maintain instream flows up to 15 cfs in that same reach of stream. Boulder, in
turn, was able to rely upon the Donation Agreement in discussions with the Forest Service to help satisfy
regulatory requirements related to Boulder's diversions on North Boulder Creek.

. 1993 - Little Dry Creek -lbis is a small tributary to the South Platte which flows through Cherry Hills Village
and Greenwood Village in the southeast Denver metro area. Local residents initiated the request for an ISF
appropriation and participated in the data collection efforts. The natural environment protected by the Board's
appropriation includes a warmwater fishery and a unique riparian zone in a predominantly urban watershed.

. 1994 - Cherry Creek - At the request of the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, the CWCB secured an
instream flow appropriation on Cherry Creek as it flows through Castlewood Canyon State Park southeast of
Denver. The environment protected by the CWCB's appropriation is also characterized by a warmwater fishery
and unique riparian zone.

. 1995 - Endan2ered Fish Recovery Pro2l'am - Flow protection is the "backbone" of the Recovery Program. The
Instream Flow Program provides one of the principal mechanisms to accomplish Recovery Program goals. The
Board has appropriated instream flow water rights for the Yampa River and the 15 Mile Reach of the Colorado
River. Progress toward recovery has allowed over 116 Colorado water projects to advance through the Fish and
Wildlife Consultation Process with "non-jeopardy" opinions.

. Cooperation with Federal A2encies - The BLM has been actively involved in recommending streams for ISF
appropriations and in donating senior water rights to the Board for instream flow uses. To date, the Board has
filed for 6 water rights on BLM-recommended stream segments in the Gunnison drainage, recommended
appropriations on 10 stream segments in the Colorado and Arkansas drainages, and has accepted a water right
donation from the BLM on Cathedral Creek near Rangely. The Board has continued to encourage the U.S.
Forest Service to rely upon the state to protect instream flows on National Forest System lands.

. South Platte Urban Corridor Proiect - This project is examining opportunities to provide streamflow
protection for the South Platte River as it flows through Denver. The Board staff is also pursuing Littleton's
request for streamflow protection on the South Platte downstream from Chatfield Reservoir.

EMERGING ISSUES

. USFS claims for non-reserved instream flow water rights
. Acquisition of absolute water rights to enhance the natural environment
. Appropriation of instream flow water rights for recreational pwposes
. Instream flow appropriations for water quality protection (watershed approaches)

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