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....-.J-.J-.J not been correctly evaluated by the U.S.B.R. The assumptions made are grossly in error be- cause of the enormity of ground water use. The statement was made that after the increased importations by Denver and Aurora had been accomplished pumping would decrease. Actually the reverse will be true, it will increase. Insofar as return flows immediately below Denver are concerned, they will increase but they will not increase materially as far as the lower reaches of the South Platte River are concerned. It was anticipated that upon the completion of the Big Thompson project, return flows to the lower South Platte would be greatly enhanced. We are now recording new lows for the 20th century at many points along the lower South Platte River. Without going any further with the details of the analogy how can we expect that a volume of one-half of' the Big Thompson importation can be used and the return flow pass across more miles of thirstier land with better aquifers and a motivation for development on account of proximity to a larger population center and end up in the lower South Platte with volumes such as the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation state there will be. No consideration has been given to the fact that when many of the records were made, there was but little pumping on Box Elder, Bijou, Kiowa, Beaver and Pawnee Creeks. In the natural state there was an overflow reach- ing the Platte River from the ,underground stream below these creeks. I have personally seen the rise of a civilization based upon this underground stream and I am now seeing the decline and eventually will see the fall of this civilization because all the water will have been mined. In so doing the flow in the South Platte River must be diminished by at least the volume of the original overflow. Along the main valley of the Platte itself more and more pumps are being installed for many reasons, some for supplemental water on the individual farm because the main canal will I I