WSP00645

• File Number: 8210.766
• Description: Gunnison River General Publications - Correspondence - Reports - Etc
• State: CO
• Basin: Yampa/White
• Water Division: 6
• Date: 1/1/1996
• Author: CWCB
• Title: Scoping Report for the Gunnison River Contract - Analysis Notebook - Instream Flow Water Rights for Endangered Fishes in Colorado
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

1995 ISF Water Rights
Applications - An Overview

The CWCB decided on December 13, 1995 to
appropriate new water rights for instream flows to
protect the natural environment for the benefit of
federally protected endangered fish species in the
Yampa and Colorado Rivers, The CWCB took this
action and water rights applications have been filed in
the appropriate water courts in accordance with
Colorado's instream flow law (37,92,102(3) C.R,S,),

. Two stream reaches will be protected: the Yampa
River downstream of Craig and the Colorado River
upstream of Grand Junction,

. The new rights will be junior in priority to all
existing water supplies and conditional decrees,

. "Base Flow Water Rights" in each reach will
limit future impacts to the endangered species and
theit habitat during low flow conditions,

. "Carve Outs" for future development of new
consumptive uses are protected,

. "Recovery Flow Water Rights" in each reach will
protect the flows in excess of the Carve Outs as the
first step in a long,term effort to "mimic the natural
hydrograph."

. A "Modifiable Portion" of the Recovery Flow
Water Rights" which may be added to the Carve
Outs as needed to accommodate additional
development. has been identified to help assure that
the people of Colorado will not be deprived of the
beneficial use of waters available by interstate
compacts,

. Terms and conditions will be developed during the
water court proceedings as issues are resolved.

FOR MORE INFO, contact Chuck Lile or Peter
Evans at the CWCB (phone 303,866,3441).

"15 Mile Reach" of the
Colorado River (mainstem)

. 15 mile segment between Palisade (Grand
Valley Irrigation Co, diversion) and Grand
Junction (confluence with the Gunnison
River)

. Base Flow Water Right will range from a
low of 680 cfs in September to a high of
2000 cfs in May and June

. Carve Out forfuture development includes
100,000 acre feet of additional
consumptive uses, and will be distributed
on a monthly or seasonal basis to assure its
utility

. Recovery Flow Water Right will include
all remaining flows in excess of the Carve
Out

.":1 :

. Modifiable Portion of the Recovery, Flow
Water Right includes an additional
300,000 acre feet, which may be addedto
the Carve Out for future development even
if other Recovery Program participants
withhold their consent

Vampa River

o
CI
t'",.
C..-"

...~.... .

"..,

. 82 mile segment between the confluence
of the Wmiams Fork (almost 10 miles SW
of Craig) to the confluence with the LillIe
Snake River

. Base Flow Water Right will range from a
low of 88 cfs in September and October to
a high of 1200 cfs in May

. Carve Out for future development includes
52,000 acre feet of additional consumptive
uses, and will be distributed on a monthly
, or seasonal basis to assure its utility

. Recovery Flow Water Right will include
all remaining flows in excess of the Carve
Out

. Modifiable Portion of the Recovery Flow
Water Right includes an additional 72,000
acre feet, which may be added to the
Carve Out for future development even if
other Recovery Program participants
withhold their consent

. The CWCB will work with other water
interests to identify an appropriate
augmentation source to avoid unnecessary '.
complication of the permitting for small
capacity wells