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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Finn Yield Category Amount Average Year: Entire Watershed Average Year: Above Town Collection Facilities Extreme Dry Year: Above Town Collection Facilities 2910 acre feet 2210 acre feet 957 acre feet The report also calculated monthly flows for water from the springs, water from surface sources and water from above the Rapid Creek Reservoirs. This breakdown was calculated for the extreme dry year, the moderate dry year, and average year flows. All of the data was used in the operations model to calculate the amount of storage needed in the system. G. SYSTEM YIELD FOR PALISADE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM Hydrosphere Resource Consultants has prepared a computerized, system operations model for determination of the system yield of the Palisade water supply system. As discussed in the Introduction, the model considers yields, capacity and/or constraints of the three major components of the water supply system. These are: 1) the basin or watershed yield as determined by hydrologic methods, 2) water rights with respect to their relative priority within the basin and the Colorado River, and 3) the carrying and storage capacity of the diversion structures, pipelines, ditches and storage reservoirs located in the upper basin. The model allows evaluation of each specific water source within the watershed with respect to its corresponding water right and the ability to convey that water to existing storage facilities. The model then analyzed releases from Palisade Cabin Reservoir to satisfy Palisade demands. It also considers other reservoirs, diversions and water rights in the basin. The model can be used to calculate system yield on a monthly basis over a 4-year period. It can also be used to look at a multitude of scenarios with respect to dry years, average years, wet years, utilization of different diversion points, and different demand projections. A complete description of methodology is given in Task 4 of the Hydrosphere Report (Appendix D). In the report, Hydrosphere presented only one scenario, that being for the driest 4- year period on record. In that scenario, water demands can be met if Cabin Reservoir has a starting content of 700 acre feet at the start of the 4-year dry period. Obviously, it is important that as much water as possible be retained in the reservoir at the end of every water year. The report also concludes that the maximum system yield of the raw water supply system is 1760 AF/Yr. A weak: link in the analysis was lack of complete flow records. In response, the town has established a comprehensive flow monitoring program. All of the yield figures that have been developed are estimates only and it is important to develop more accurate numbers that can be used for planning purposes. It may be necessary at some time to expand storage in the Rapid Creek Basin. lV-17