WSP00353

• File Number: 8240.200.43.H.2
• Description: Grand Valley/Orchard Mesa -
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 8/11/1993
• Title: Analysis of the Orchard Mesa Check Operation Under Current and Historic Stream Administration Practices
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EAGf

..
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1

BACKGROUND INFORMATION .......................................... 1
HISTORIC OPERATION OF THE CHECK ............................... 3
WATER RIGHT ADMINISTRATION - GREEN MOUNTAIN RESERVOIR. . . . . . . . . .. 5
HISTORIC ADMINISTRATION - COLORADO RIVER ....................... 6
CURRENT ADMINISTRATION - COLORADO RIVER ....................... 8

COLORADO RIVER DEMAND AT CAMEO ................................... 8

POTENTIAL IMPACT - WEST SLOPE WATER USERS .......................... 11

1977 ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 13
1989' ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 16
1990 ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 16

CONCLUSIONS .................................................... 21

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1: SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM, CAMEO DEMAND, IRRIGATION SEASON. .. . . . .. . 2
FIGURE 2: ORCHARD MESA CHECK OPERATION, CASE NO. 91CW247 ............ 4
FIGURE 3: GVIC DIVERSION AND CHECK OPERATION, 1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
FIGURE 4: COLORADO RIVER FLOW AT CAMEO GAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 12
FIGURE 5: COLORADO RIVER NEAR CAMEO, 1977, HISTORIC VS. CURRENT

ADMINISTRATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 14
FIGURE 6: GREEN MOUNTAIN RELEASES, 1977, HISTORIC VS. CURRENT

ADMINISTRATION... .... . .... .. ...... ...... .... . ... . . . ... 15
FIGURE 7: COLORADO RIVER NEAR CAMEO, 1989, HISTORIC VS CURRENT

ADMINiSTRATION....... . ....... .. ......... .. ... . . . . . .. .. 17
FIGURE 8: GREEN MOUNTAIN RELEASES, 1989, HISTORIC VS CURRENT

ADMINISTRATION. .... . . . . ...... ... . . . ..... . . ... . . . . . . ... 18
FIGURE 9: COLORADO RIVER NEAR CAMEO, 1990, HISTORIC VS CURRENT

ADMINISTRATION. .. .. .. . . . .. ..... .. ....... .. . ...... . ;... 19
FIGURE 10: GREEN MOUNTAIN RELEASES. 1990. HISTORIC VS CURRENT

ADMINISTRATION ........................................ 20

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 1: ORCHARD MESA CHECK OPERATION FOR SELECTED yEARS............ 8

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

ATTACHMENT 1:
ATTACHMENT 2:

ORCHARD MESA CHECK OPERATION - SUMMARY, 1945 TO 1990
FINLEY AND ENEWOLD LETTERS