WSP04694

• File Number: 8281.400
• Description: Colorado River Studies and Investigations -- Colorado River Depletion Projections
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 6/1/1965
• Author: C. Jex Engineers
• Title: Report on Water Runoff and Stream Depletion of the Main Stem Colorado River Basin in Colorado
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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The estimated stream depletion for the 18 year study
period affiounted to 32,300 acre feet. This depletion is 19.6%
of the subbasin undepleted runoff and somewhat higher than the
percentage water supply depletion of any of the other subbasins.
Figures showing the undepleted water yield of the subbasin is
given in the following table:
Undepleted Plateau Creek Subbasin Runoff
Average for 1$ Year Period 1943-1960 - Units Acre Feet

Runoff of Plateau Creek
Stream Depletion
Net Undepleted Subbasin Water Supply

Present Water Use

132,500
32,~00
164, 00

The Bureau of Reclaffiation reported 26,300 acres of
land irrigated in the Plateau Creek Subbasin in 1939. In
1960 or prior to use of Collbran Project water, the irrigated
land amounted to 29,100 acres" This is an increase of 10.6%
over that irrigated in 1939. Of the total area of 29,100
acres irrigated in 1960, less than 10,000 acres received a
full irrigation water supply. The annual stream depletion
is estimated to be 29,800 acre feet.
The population of the subbasin in 1960 was 1,569.

Census figures show a loss of 546 persons or 26j~ fer the 30

year period 1930-1960. The \!ater used fer r.:unicipal and

donestic purposes would net exceed 400 to 500 acre feet a

year \lith the strear:. depletion fer these purposes lirdted

to less than 200 acre feet" The strear.. depletion for r,mni-

ci,pal. and don:estic use tozether with reservoir evaporation is

33