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WATER & RELATED LAND RESOURCES =le:: WATER WRITES This i.!l the first in a series of newsletters that will provide the readers with information on cur. rent happenings in 8 study being conducted by the Corps of Engineers. This study. named the :;"letropolitan Denver and South Platte River and Tributaries Study. is one of many studies that are being conducted across the United States by the Corps of Engineers. These studies take a compre- hensive approach to water and related land resources management. Problems in flood control and flood plain management. water supply, water quality. recreation, and fish and wildlife are being covered in the .study. This first issue is intended to acquaint interested persons on the current status of the inves- tigations. The next issue will explain how the water related studies in the basin are C'oordinated and the purpose of each of these studies. Right now, let's talk about where the Metropolitan Denver and South Platte River and Tributaries Study has b('oen Rnd where it's going. STUDY HISTORY The study was initiated in FY 1973. The first step was to prepare an overall plan of study. Problems. needs, and objectives were identified. The plan of study was completed in August 1973 and approved in February 1974. WHERE ARE WE NOW? Problems and needs have been identified in the areas of water supply. water quality. flood plain manage. ment and flood control. and outdoor recreation. This "needs identification" phase of the study is discussed in the following paragraphs. WATER SUPPLY ,~ ENOUGH WATER? So far. the study team has bt>en identifying water associated prob. lems in thE' basin. Water supply is one of the biggest. Precipita. tion is abundant in the moun. tains, up to 40 inches per year. and short on the plains. as low as 10 inches per year. Elaborate physical sys((>ms consisting of diversions. tunnels. reservoirs, regulating structures. and ditches have been developed to deUver water from the mountains to farms and cities on the semi.arid plains. These water systems are admir.istered by local. regional, state. and Federal agencies each with different. but sometimes overlapping responsibilities. Each of these agencies must operate under a system of laws which govern agency operation and responsibilities. Addi- tionally. the water mwt be distributed in accordance with State water laws. Water supply is, therefore. not dependent just on its availability coupled with the physical distribution system. Rather. the institu. tions, laws governing these institutions. and water laws are equally important parts of the water system. This study will examine aU of these system parts. Water is a limited resource: efficiency and minimiza. tion of all beneficial uses will be emphasized. WATER FACTS During an average year the South Platte basin has 1.441,000 acre-feet of native surface water available. During this same average year another 336,000 acre. feet are brought across the Continental Divide into the South Platte basin to supplement this supply. Only 304,000 acre-feet flow into Nebraska during this average year. Nebraska is legally entitled to 50,000 acre. feet per year by the 1923 South Platte River Compact. The surplus water supply inventory for the South Platte is illustrated below. .~ , .. ~.n~"~"<>'c ...v~~."v. '" "".'''''{ ~.'[. ....,..uu '.~ ll.'{.. s.u ,no.'u" COLO.~"[""'o( ~f"O' ,,,. .1,' j " < ~ ""000'- . . ~ w . . . "".'" . " 0 . , . ~ ~ g.:>=; 0 - n' ,,. 1 '0 ~ . ~ , . . , . .