PROJ00533

• Contract/PO #: C153367
• Contractor Name: International Engineering Company
• Water District: 0
• County: Rio Blanco
• Bill Number: XB 99-999
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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The annual water demand for coal development was estimated to be 18,000
acre-feet. Two-thirds of this demand, or 12,000 acre-feet, was assumed to
occur at the existing mine site and was incorporated in the facility-sizing
and water operation studies for the agricultural demands in that area. The
demand was assumed to occur at a constant rate of 1000 acre-feet per month.
The remaining 6000 acre-feet were released to the river for diversion
downstream at an unspecified location.

Other Demands

Operation of the Yellow Jacket Project for agricultural, municipal, and
industrial uses results in flows and water volumes which can be used for
nonconsumptive purposes prior to meeting project demands. These purposes
include hydropower generation, minimum streamflows, and recreation.

Hydropower
The potential for hydropower generation was analyzed briefly at some of the
sites. Only mainstem storage sites were found to offer any potential for
hydropower.

Minimum Streamflows
It was assumed that minimum streamflow bypasses would be required on one or
more stream reaches in order to obtain federal permits for project
construction. The streamflows on the North Fork and mainstem of the White
River down to its confluence with Piceance Creek would be evaluated under
this requirement.

Recreation
No specific
Project was
for minimum

evaluation of the recreational potential
made. The addition of reservoir surface
streamflows could, however, provide

of

the
and
base

Yellow Jacket
the provision
for additional

area

a

recreation.

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