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CONCLUS IONS The Investigations which have been carried out in regard to the availability of water in the South Platte River have resulted in a number of basic con- clusions. Some of these conclusions apply to all river basins of the State and some are related primarily to the area of study. As a result of this report, which deals with Water District No.8, It has been concluded that: .' . I, The use of water in Water District No.8 Is predominantly for municipal use, particularly along the main stem of the South Platte River from which the cities of Denver, Aurora, Englewood and Littleton obtain all or a part of their municipal water supplies. > 2, The use of water for irrigation along the South Platte River Is diminishing as land is converted from farming to urban use, 3. Supplies from the South Platte River in Water District No.8 are almost fully appropriated and municipal ities such as Denver and Aurora must Import water from the west slope to meet their Increasing wa ter needs. 4. Ground water In storage in the alluvial aquifer of the South Platte is limited within District No.8 and does not offer the potential for development that exists in downstream reaches of the South Platte River, The transient ground water storage is estimated to be on the order of 30,000 acre-feet, which is relatively small In comparison to that in storage in downstream reaches of the river. 5, The ground water alluvium does not provide a dependable source of supply for municipal use, 6. The potential exists for the development of storage and/or exchange agreements to reregulate transmountain diversions, facilitate the reuse of return flows and far the capture and storage of flood flows; all of which can be used to effect a more efficient uSe of available suppl ies, . . 7. The conjunc~lve use of ground water and surface water in District Nos. 1, 2, and 64 can provide for increased utilization of water in District No.8. Return flaw from increased diversions would be available downstream for direct use, for storage in reservoirs, and for recharge of ground water acquifers. Similar increased water use could be made in the Poudre, Big Thompson, St. Vrain, Boulder Creek, and Clear Creek basins, ,- 8. The rapid expansion of municipal growth and corresponding municipal water use which has taken place within Water District No.8 will occur in other areas of the State, and serves to Illustrate the conditions that are encountered when urban development replaces the traditIonal agricultural economy.