Laserfiche WebLink
<br />008772 <br /> <br />as rental water, or ground water, to ensure an adequate water supply to grow a crop, Water conservation <br />practices can be used to improve water availability for the fanner in a water-short situation, if the decree <br />requirements are met. More efficient application of water could extend available supplies for crop <br />production, as well as make water available for junior water-right holders that rarely have enough water, <br />The adoption of water conservation measures can however, reduce return flows to ground water and <br />affect the balance between surface and ground water availability in the system, Surface flow rates could <br />decline because ground water discharge to streams is reduced, and the timing of river flow could be altered by <br />changes in ground water returns, Changes in the retwn flow regime could also impact ground water levels <br />and pumping costs, instream flows, riparian zone maintenance, and wetlands. <br />Timing and availability problems stemming from a reduction in return flows would cause a greater <br />dependence on existing water supplies, Reduced return flows that lower ground water levels and reduce <br />instream flows could be addressed using more surface storage capacity to control timing of surface flows, and <br />aquifer recharge to enhance ground water levels, Both options, however, are costly and controversial, <br />The South Platte conjunctive use system has resulted in several water quality problems in the basin. <br />Over-application of irrigation water can cause leaching of agricultural chemicals to the ground water, and <br />eventual degradation of surface water resources, Application rates that reduce leaching (and return flows) can <br />reduce the transport and concentration of pollutants, If federal legislation is ultimately revised to mandate <br />reductions in nonpoint source pollutants from fanning, irrigators in the South Platte Basin could be required <br />to adopt best management practices to control pollutants, Many management practices designed to control <br />nonpoint source pollutants also function as water-saving measures through decreased diversions, The forced <br />adoption of best management practices, while improving water quality, could also impact basin hydrology hy <br />altering the return flow regime, <br />The adoption of water conservation measures in the South Platte Basin is currently occurring on an <br />incremental basis, resulting in improved water availability for individual growers, The potential for <br />widespread adoption exists, but the ramifications of altering the existing hydrologic characteristics of the <br />system must be weighed against any potential benefits, <br /> <br />Irrigation Water Conservation - Arkansas River Basin ' <br /> <br />Strategies, The Arkansas River basin is similar hydrologically to the South Platte basin, Irrigators in the <br />basin rely on water storage and delayed return flows to maintain river flow and surface water supplies, <br /> <br />49 <br />