WSPC06036

• File Number: 8045
• Description: Section D General Studies-Federal Projects-General
• Date: 4/18/1980
• Title: Moon Lake Power Plant Project-Reports 1979-80-Availability of Water and Impact on Water Quality from a Power Plant to be Constructed by Deseret Generation and Transmission Cooperative
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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R~servoir at Wolf Creek

In the analysis of Wolf Creek Reservoir, uncertainty exists because of

assumptions that must be made regarding development of Colorado conditional

water rights. However, storage in 1977 would have produced about 4500

acre feet monthly of additional water beyond anticipated demands which

would be three times the Deseret requirement on a monthly basis. The

reservoir would also produce an additional 6000 acre feet of water for

irrigation. Because Wolf Creek is a much larger reservoir than Taylor

Draw, a larger carry-over would normally be available. Increased certainty

of delivery would be present and available sediment storage space would

be much more than at Taylor Draw.

As indicated above, the town of Rangely has a high priority conditional water

right of 28 cfs. part of which could probably be acquired by Deseret for

storage in Wolf Creek and use in Colorado.

Firm Water in Time of Drought

Power cannot be disrupted for long periods without very serious social and

economic consequences. An adequate water supply must be available for the

power plant at all times. Thus the estimated water available, based upon

the fifty years of historical record, is an indicator of the reliability of

the supply, but an adequate supply using historical records adjusted for

anticipated future demands does not mean that an adequate supply exists

for power generation. Analysis of the water available at the three reservoir

sites on the White River, considering probable development, shows that Deseret

must be careful to be sure that committed water rights will yield a firm

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