FLOOD01223

• County: Statewide
• Community: State of Colorado
• Stream Name: South Platte
• Title: Upper Platte River Basin Study 1979-83
• Date: 1/1/1979
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Flood Mitigation/Flood Warning/Watershed Restoration

Agriculture and related activi-ties comprise a major contribution to
Wyoming's economy. Maintenance of irrigated agriculture to at least its
current level is a primary objective, together with improvements in
water supply and development of additional feasible projects. Due
consideration will be given to both surface and ground-water suppl ies
and to the most efficient water appl ication methods in compliance with
existing laws, rules, and regulations.

Each of the three States desires to develop meaningful land use pOlicies
and programs to minimize flood problems and to reduce damages caused by
floods through an effective combination of structural and nonstructural
measures. A cooperative local, State, and Federal effort is desired to
identify and remedy watershed problems, such as flooding, sediment, and
drai nage. Land treatment and other conserv ati on practices are bei ng
encouraged in those programs and pI ans being imp I emented in the three
State area.

Although it is an objective of each State to preserve fish and wildlife
resources and habitat, only Colorado officially recognizes the main-
tenance of i nstreifll flows for habitat as a benefici al use. Wyomi ng
specifically calls for fish and wildlife resources to be considered in
all pI anning processes. Nebraska expresses a desire to perpetuate and
enhance fi sh and wil dl ife resources for recreat i onal, aestheti c, and
educational and scientific use.

Colorado's management objectives focus specifically on maintenance
of populations and habitats for wildlife, acquisition and management of
cold-water fisheries, implementation of warm-water habitat improvement
and a maintenance program for all species. Also being called for are an
inventory of wetlands, studies of riparian habitat, and an analysis of
water requirements associated with these habitat types.

Planning activities in Wyoming are to include an evaluation of long-term
capabilities, changing social and environmental conditions, and an
appraisal of future expectations and projections. Nebraska has
indicated a goal of managing and preserving areas providing significant
wildlife habitat, public hunting or fishing, and unique natural and
scientific features.

The three States continually express a desire to provide increased
quantity and improved quality of municipal, industrial, and rural
domestic water. Colorado objectives call for cooperation among Federal,
State, and local entities to provide for addressing water supply
needs. Specific emphasis for use of water conservation measures
to reduce per capita consumption in municipal systems is a goal in
Colorado. A thoughtfully developed State plan for storage, distribu-
tion, and conservation of water suppl ies is an Objective of the State
of Wyomi ng .

State objectives concerning the preservation of natural, historic, and
cultural resources differ slightly among the three States of the Upper
Platte River Basin. Colorado calls for an identification of significant
natural areas, studies of riparian habitat, and an updated wetlands

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