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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />\ <br /> <br /> <br />\ <br /> <br />COLORADO STATE WATER PLAN <br />PLAN OF STUDY <br /> <br />Introc'luction <br /> <br />Three major river systems, the Colorado, the Rio <br /> <br />Grande and Ule Arkansas, originate in the Rocky Mountains of <br /> <br />Colorado. Major tributaries of the Missouri River system - the <br /> <br />North platte, South Platte and Republican Rivers - drain the <br /> <br />north central and northeastern parts of the state. ~lese river <br /> <br />systems are shovm on the General Map. No. on the <br /> <br />preceding page. <br /> <br />The total surface water supply available to the State <br /> <br />of Colorado is limited. Conversely, the water needs of the state <br /> <br />are growing continually at an increasec'l rate. Demand in many <br /> <br />areas of the state has surpassed the limit of local surface <br /> <br />supplies. Asa consequence, ground water usage has developed to <br /> <br />the extent that this source is being withdrawn in quantities <br /> <br />exceeding rtcharge in some areas. <br /> <br />If the future water needs of each area of the state <br /> <br />are to be 'fulfilled insofar as practicable and in an efficient <br /> <br />manner, water resource development and management, both surface <br /> <br />and ground water. must proceed under an orderly and well-conceived <br /> <br />overall plan. The aH:ernative, in the absence of a plan, in- <br /> <br />escapably will retard further growth - in some areas will actually <br /> <br />OOJJ <br />