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The current water usage by each sector was analyzed to help predict future water usage by
<br />diversion (how much water is taken from the river) and by consumption (how much is used).
<br />Approximately 465,000 of per year is diverted and 120,000 of is consumed. Agriculture diverts
<br />about 425,000 of and consumes roughly 90,000 af, with the remainder returning to the river.
<br />t Approximately 20,000 of is diverted /consumed by the thermo - electric generation plants, which
<br />makes the electric industry the second largest water consumer in the Yampa Valley.
<br />' BBC also analyzed if Yampa Valley industries could adopt water conservation methods to reduce
<br />water consumption. The electric powerplants in Craig and Hayden may eventually install
<br />additional generating units. The lower water using units would decrease the amount of water per
<br />' unit of generation for cooling purposes. Private and municipal sectors could implement water
<br />conservation measures, but the amount of water saved would be small compared to irrigation
<br />demand. Conservation measures by agriculture (e.g., sprinkler vs. flood irrigation) would reduce
<br />both diversions and return flows, resulting in little net increase in stream flows.
<br />Finally, BBC projected the water demand for the year 2045. This projection assumes demands will
<br />' not be limited by future water availability. Water diversions will range between 490,000 and
<br />620,000 af. Water consumption will range between 140,000 and 170,000 af. Agriculture will divert
<br />between 425,000 and 540,000 of and consume between 90,000 and 115,000 af. Table 1 and
<br />' Table 2 give a detailed breakdown of the 2045 diversions and consumption, respectively.
<br />' 13
<br />4. WATER DEMAND STUDIES
<br />The 1993 Hydrosphere study projected water demands both near -term (2015) and long -term
<br />'
<br />(2040) for the Yampa River Basin. The study estimated water demands as of 1989 based on
<br />expected population growth and projections for industrial use (primarily cooling water
<br />requirements for power generation). The total long -term demand for water was estimated at
<br />'
<br />479,000 of with consumptive use of 160,000 af.
<br />In June 1998, BBC Research and Consulting completed a subsequent study of future water
<br />'
<br />demands entitled Yampa Valley Water Demand Study Final Report (BBC Research & Consulting,
<br />1998). The purpose of the study was to update and expand upon the 1993 Hydrosphere study
<br />and examine and quantify long -term water demand for human use in the Yampa River Basin.
<br />'
<br />The BBC study was to provide a more in -depth examination of economic and demographic
<br />factors that affect water demand.
<br />The study first determined the current economic and demographic make up of the valley;
<br />'
<br />approximately 30,000 people live in the Yampa River Valley. The service industry (including ski
<br />resorts and related services) employs the most people (7,330). The wholesale and retail trade
<br />employs 6,170 people, and the agricultural industry employs 1,270 people.
<br />The prospects for each employment sector were analyzed to help predict future growth.
<br />Recreation visitor days are expected to more than double, indicating that service and retail
<br />'
<br />industries are likely to continue to grow in the future. The remaining sectors will experience
<br />slower growth. Agriculture is projected to be stable.
<br />'
<br />BBC used the current demographics and economics to predict a growth rate. The Yampa River
<br />Valley population will grow to an estimated 62,500- 77,000 by 2045. The service industry will still
<br />employ the largest number of people, closely followed by retail and wholesale trade. Agriculture
<br />'
<br />is predicted to employ the fewest people (less than 3 percent of the population).
<br />The current water usage by each sector was analyzed to help predict future water usage by
<br />diversion (how much water is taken from the river) and by consumption (how much is used).
<br />Approximately 465,000 of per year is diverted and 120,000 of is consumed. Agriculture diverts
<br />about 425,000 of and consumes roughly 90,000 af, with the remainder returning to the river.
<br />t Approximately 20,000 of is diverted /consumed by the thermo - electric generation plants, which
<br />makes the electric industry the second largest water consumer in the Yampa Valley.
<br />' BBC also analyzed if Yampa Valley industries could adopt water conservation methods to reduce
<br />water consumption. The electric powerplants in Craig and Hayden may eventually install
<br />additional generating units. The lower water using units would decrease the amount of water per
<br />' unit of generation for cooling purposes. Private and municipal sectors could implement water
<br />conservation measures, but the amount of water saved would be small compared to irrigation
<br />demand. Conservation measures by agriculture (e.g., sprinkler vs. flood irrigation) would reduce
<br />both diversions and return flows, resulting in little net increase in stream flows.
<br />Finally, BBC projected the water demand for the year 2045. This projection assumes demands will
<br />' not be limited by future water availability. Water diversions will range between 490,000 and
<br />620,000 af. Water consumption will range between 140,000 and 170,000 af. Agriculture will divert
<br />between 425,000 and 540,000 of and consume between 90,000 and 115,000 af. Table 1 and
<br />' Table 2 give a detailed breakdown of the 2045 diversions and consumption, respectively.
<br />' 13
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