WSP04959

• File Number: 8460.500
• Description: Platte River Recovery Plan
• Basin: South Platte
• Date: 8/3/1999
• Author: Colo Div of Wildlife
• Title: Final Environmental Assessment for the Tamarack Managed Groundwater Recharge Project at Tamarack Ranch State Wildlife Area and Pony Express State Wildlife Area
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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PROPOSED PLATIE.RIVER RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM
APPENDIX A, WATER COMPONENT

COLORADO'S TAMARACK PLAN

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1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Tamarack Plan involves the use of participating existing and future wells and other
water facilities in Colorado to reregulate flows tha! :are in excess of legal rights to and
physical demands for water in Colorado in a mannllr that is consistent with the flow-
related goals of the Platte River Recovery Impleme~tation Program. As a result of the
geographic location of the Tamarack Plan near the ~tate line, groundwater recharge that
results from the Tamarack Plan is estimated to increase flows at the Julesburg gage
during the period of April through September by an average of approximately 10,000
acre-feet over the flows that would otherwise occur during that period. As stated in the
Program description, all signatories have agreed that the combined operations of the
Tamarack Plan and the other reregulating projects in: the Proposed Program shall score
and be credited with reducing flow shortages by 70.Qoo acre-feet. Water rights for the
operation of the components of the Tamarack Plan ~ill be obtained and exercised under
Colorado law for beneficial uses in Colorado.

Participating wells, ditches or other facilities, and associated water rights, may also be
operated for purposes other than thoseass~iated with the Program. for example but
not by way of limitation, augmentation purPoses and protection and enhancement of
native species and wildlife. Such operations are not part of the Tamarack Plan, and
references to this Plan do not include such operations \

The components of the Tamarack Plan will be developed within the 40 miles above the
state line beginning at about the Tamarack Ranch. State Wildlife Area owned by the
Colorado Division of Wildlife near Crook, Colorado. These facilities will include
wells located adjacent to the South Platte River that divert groundwater from the
alluvial aquifer and canals that divert water from' the ~outh Platte River . Water that
percolates into the groundwater alluvium from these f~cilities will return to the South
Platte River at a later time. Inflows to canals and rec~ge basins will be identified as
for Program or other purposes, and inflows for Progr$J. purposes will be measured and
recharge or seepage will be computed as inflows minus evaporation. Evaporation in
acre-feet will be determined by using available weather station data and the surface
areas of the recharge sites. Recharge basins are typically located in sandy upland areas
with high infiltration rates such that free water surface ,areas are minimal, resulting in

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