WSP02948

• File Number: 8449.900
• Description: Bear Creek
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Date: 10/1/1989
• Author: McLaughlin Engineers
• Title: Engineering Report for Storable Water by CWCB's Water Rights
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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b.

Mt. Vernon Creek flows are added to the flows at the Morrison Gage adjusted by Item
la. For Morrison Gage virgin flows of less than 30 cfs, the Mt Vernon Creek flows
are zero. Above 30 cfs, the Mt. Vernon creek flows are assumed to be equal to 2
percent of the Morrison Gage virgin flows.

2 Return flows from diversions upstream of the Bear Creek Lake and downstream of the
Morrison Gage are assumed to be equal to zero. This assumption is reasonable since the
Harriman Ditch is now lined or in a pipeline, and there is very little iiTigation above Bear
Creek Lake. It was agreed amongst the engineers that Turkey Creek inflows would be
considered zero, which is consistent with the assumptions for the Model The Town of
Morrison diverts upstream ofthe Morrison Gage, but for this study it is assumed that it diverts
below the gage. Some return flows occur upstream of Bear Creek Lake as sewage effluent
discharged from Morrison's wastewater plant, which has been neglected in the ModeL

3. Depletions from exempt wells upstream of the Morrison Gage are assumed to be zero.

4.

Recharge from Bear Creek Lake to the Arapahoe or Laramie-Fox Hills aquifers are assumed
to be zero. A rise in some of the downstream Arapahoe wells after the permanent pool in
Bear Creek Lake was filled was observed. However, the USGS is no longer monitoring these
wells so that no official evidence of any further rise has been documented.

5.

All transfers of water rights in Bear Creek to new points of diversion and new uses are strictly
administered according to the decrees granted in Water Court. All of these water rights, as
well as other rights will be diverting the full amoum granted by these decrees at all times when
in priority.

6. The State of Colorado's Simonton Ditch for 2.25 cfs is aSsumed to be in priority whenever
water is available at the Morrison Gage. This assumptioJ;l allows greater diversions by the
State's Simonton Ditch than those shown on page 2, which may result in artificial shortages
to other Bear Creek Water rights, especially during dry periods. However, the difference in
the 2.25 cfs and that shown on page 2 does allow for a possible successful transfer of a small
portion of Denver's Simonton Ditch ownership.

7. Return flows will provide sufficient water to meet the McBroom Ditch demands at all times.

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