C153349 Feasibility Study

• Contract/PO #: C153349
• Contractor Name: Brook Forest Water District
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 9
• County: Jefferson
• Bill Number: SB 80-67
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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CHAPTER VI
WATER RIGHTS

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A. General

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Colorado water laws are based 00 the Doctrine of Prior Appropriation.

Simply stated this means, first in time is first in right. In general, water

law is comprised of two separate bodies of law:

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(1) Those laws that deal with ,he definition of the property right in
the use of water.

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(2) Those laws that create org~nizations for the administration of water

rights and the development and management of water resources.

The courts establish and grant a priority date for each water right. This

date is used to establish the priority of the said water right on the stream

system. In the Bear Creek watersheo (Water District No.9), the earliest water

right is granted to McBroom Ditch for 11.58 cfs and has a priority date of

November 1, 1859. During periods of inadequate water supplies, diversions by

junior water rights are curtailed.

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Water pumped from the district's four wells is considered tributary to the

South Platte River system. Thus, it is regulated in the same manner and accor-

ding to the same priorities as is surface water.

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B. Present Water Rights

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The water rights owned by the Brook Forest Water District currently are
as follows:

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Priority Date:
Pumping Rate:
Annual Volume:

September 14, 1964
28 gpm Maximum
45.2 Acre-feet

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