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<br />I I <br />, I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />As shown in the tabulation, greater quantities of return flows are available for <br />potential re-use in the lower basin than in the upper basin, as would be expected. <br />Analyses by the consultant tended to verify the probable accuracy of these USBR <br />parameters of return flows. Comparisons of the data pertaining to streamflows, <br />historical diversions and gage readings of recorded flows at USGS gage 09-1lflf2-00, <br />which is located near the mouth of Tongue Creek, indicated that the computed <br />excess flows (estimates of water not presently used) do not exceed the recorded <br />flows at gage 09-1lflf2-00 which, because of its location, primarily measures water <br />which is discharged into the Gunnison River. <br /> <br />Irrigated cropland in the Tongue Creek basin is divided between the Upper Surface <br />Creek service area and the Lower Surface Creek service area, The upper area, <br />(excluding farmland and wasteland) has approximately 5,910 acres of irrigated <br />cropland, pastures and orchards, and includes irrigated land north of Cedaredge <br />along Surface Creek and along the tributaries of Tongue Creek north of the <br />confluence of Dirty George Creek and Ward Creek, as well as Upper Cedar Mesa. <br /> <br />Streams entering the upper service area originate at higher elevations in the <br />headwaters area. Total inflow into the upper service area is the sum of flows in all <br />the creeks which enter the area, Return flows used within the upper area <br />(estimated to be 17 percent of diversions) are added to inflows to determine total <br />water available in the Upper Surface Creek service area, <br /> <br />Deduction from total available water in the upper service area of the area's water <br />requirement gives an estimate of the quantity of water which will flow downstream <br />into the Lower Surface Creek Service Area, The lower area, which has approxi- <br />mately 8,3lf5 net acres of irrigated cropland, pastures and orchards, includes <br />irrigated land along Surface Creek south of Cedaredge; along Tongue Creek, Happy <br />Hollow and Hamilton Draw; and Lower Cedar Mesa. <br /> <br />The total water available for use in the lower service area consists of the inflow <br />from the upper service area plus the proportion of water diverted in the lower area <br />which becomes return flow. As shown in the tabulation, this proportion is <br />estimated to be approximately 25 percent. <br /> <br />III-9 <br />