Stream: Tabeguache Creek ‎(Lower Segement)‎ Executive Summary

• Description: Stream: Tabeguache Creek ‎(Lower Segement)‎ Executive Summary
• State: CO
• Water Division: 4
• Title: Stream: Tabeguache Creek ‎(Lower Segement)‎ Executive Summary
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

Staff Analysis and Recommendation
Summary
The information contained in this report and the associated instream flow file folder forms the
basis for staff's instream flow recommendation to be considered by the Board. It is staff's
opinion that the information contained in this report is sufficient to support the findings required
in Rule 5.40.
Colorado's Instream Flow Program was created in 1973 when the Colorado State Legislature
recognized "the need to correlate the activities of mankind with some reasonable preservation of
the natural environment" (see 37 -92 -102 (3) C.R.S.). The statute vests the CWCB with the
exclusive authority to appropriate and acquire instream flow and natural lake level water rights.
In order to encourage other entities to participate in Colorado's Instream Flow Program, the
statute directs the CWCB to request instream flow recommendations from other state and federal
agencies. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recommended this segment of Tabeguache
Creek to the CWCB for inclusion into the Instream Flow Program. Tabeguache Creek is being
considered for inclusion into the Instream Flow Program because it has a natural environment
that can be preserved to a reasonable degree with an instream flow water right.
Tabeguache Creek is approximately 27.5 miles long. It begins within the Uncompahgre National
Forest at an elevation of 9,840 feet and generally flows in a westerly direction until it terminates
at the confluence with the San Miguel River at an elevation of 5,010 feet. Approximately 79%
of the land on the 9.7 mile segment addressed by this report is publicly owned. Tabeguache
Creek is located within Montrose County and the total drainage area of the creek is
approximately 152 square miles.
The subject of this report is a segment of Tabeguache Creek beginning at the headgate of
Templeton Ditch and extending downstream to the confluence with the San Miguel River. The
proposed segment is located approximately 11 miles northwest of Naturita. Staff has received
one recommendation for this segment, from the BLM. The recommendation for this segment is
discussed below.
Instream Flow Recommendation
The BLM recommended a seasonal flow of 4.75 cfs (March 15 - June 30), based on their data
collection efforts, staff's water availability analyses, and information provided by local
stakeholders.
Land Status Review
Upper Terminus
Lower Terminus
Total Length
(miles)
Land Ownershi
% Private
% Public
Headgate of
Templeton Ditch
Confluence with
San Miguel River
9.7
21%
79%
100% of the public lands are owned by the BLM.
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