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<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 />I <br /> <br />CHAPTER III . WATER RIGHTS AND HYDROLOGY <br /> <br />Two basic sources of water are available for growing crops in the San Miguel study area, natural precipitation and <br />streamflow diverted for irrigation, Precipitation depths over the study area are low. typically averaging less than <br />14 inches per year. In addition, the occurrence of precipitation during the growing season is higWy erratic. <br />Irrigation, therefore, is essential for crop production in this area. <br /> <br />Irrigation water for the study area is supplied by diverting streamflow. Most of the streamflow results from <br />snowmelt runoff from the mountains along the southern portion of the study area. Consequently, streamflow is <br />high in the spring but low during the summer months when crop water demands are high. An additional supply of <br />irrigation water is needed during the months of July, August and September. <br /> <br />To investigate alternatives for increasing the late season water supply for the study area, it was necessary to <br />determine the availability of water to a project. This information was determined through analyses of water rights <br />and of historical flows (hydrology) as described in this chapter. <br /> <br />Water Rlehts <br /> <br />A water right is the legal right to use water, In Colorado, the right to divert streamflow depends on the date when <br />the water right was established. The individual with the most senior water right is entitled to divert and use <br />available streamflow up to the amount specified on his water right. If any streamflow remains after this diversion, <br />the individual with the next oldest water right can make his diversion, and so on until all the water rights are <br />satisfied or all available water is diverted. Water rights may be either "absolute" or "conditional". Absolute rights <br />are those which have been developed and the indicated amount of water put to beneficial use. Conditional rights <br />are those which are in the process of being developed, but, in general, the necessary facilities have not been <br />constructed and no water has yet been diverted or used, <br /> <br />IIB <br />