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<br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Streamflow was reduced below the bridge, and the water was assumed to be going into <br />an underground channel. There is a spring in the lower Dead Horse canyon that <br />crosses the trail from the west side of the canyon (see Figure 5). This spring was only <br />flowing when West Dead Horse Creek was flowing at the bridge. It was thought that <br />this water was the water lost upstream at the bridge. <br /> <br />In June, 1996 measurements were taken in upper West Dead Horse Creek. Flow was <br />observed below the West Dead Horse Spring (3.38 cfs on June 5, 1996 and 2.16 cfs on <br />June 11, 1996). Further downstream, at elevation 9310', flow was greatly reduced <br />(0.47 cfs on June 11, 1996) and then disappeared completely. Several areas of springs <br />and losing sections were noted downstream (see Figure 5). No water appeared to flow <br />below approximately elevation 8,800 feet except during runoff peak flow in May. <br /> <br />Discussion <br /> <br />The complex hydrologic system within the Dead Horse Creek watershed has provided a <br />unique environment for plant and wildlife habitat. The scenic lake and waterfall are <br />very popular recreational destinations. These factors support the need for an instream <br />flow claim in order to protect this valuable resource. <br /> <br />The results from the year long measurement and observation of the Dead Horse Creek <br />system point out the complexity of the system. The geology within the watershed <br />appears to be an important factor in the chatacteristics of the hydrology. This is shown <br />from reaches of notable gain and loss of streamflow and the many seeps and springs <br />present. The fact that no water is evident oll the surface at the outlet of West Dead <br />Horse Creek for most of the year is a possible indicator that water is movillg subsurface <br />across the divide to East Dead Horse Creek. This along with the variation in <br />streamflow along East Dead Horse Creek makes it difficult to quantify a definite <br />amount of streamflow. <br /> <br />The streamflow data collected was presented to the CWCB to determine the <br />applicability of their modeling program to tl1is system. The final determination of the <br />in stream flow claim was then made by the CWCB. Appendix K contains the <br />preliminary and final notices of the 'InstreaIfl Flow and Naturall.ake Level <br />Recommendations Water Division 5& 6' which were presented to the Colorado Water <br />Conservation Board on July 8-9, 1996 and November 25-26, 1996. <br /> <br />References <br /> <br />American Geological Institute, 1972. M. Gary, R. McAfee Jr., and C.L. Wolf, <br />editors. Glossary of Geology. American Geological Institute, Washington, <br />DC. <br /> <br />14 <br />