WSP05549

• File Number: 8407
• Description: Platte River Basin - River Basin General Publications
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 8/22/1960
• Author: Kenneth W Chalmers
• Title: Future Water Requirements and Supplies for the South Platte Basin
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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The use of. land in the area varies from timbering, recreation, grazing'

and the production of water in the higher elevations on the Nat~Forests

to ranching and native hay production in South Park and other similar sections

along the headwaters of its .tributaries, the production of dryland crops and
the grazing of livestock on the north and south tables bordering the valley,:

and the production of irrigated crops on the lower reaches of the tributaries

and the main stem of the river. The, domestic and industrial needs of its many

cities and towns are a major factor in its present as well as future needs

for water.

According to the Colorado Water Conservation Board, from melting snow

and other precipitation, the Basin yields an average of 986,900 acre feet of

water as follows:

Mountain Inflow -- 1930-1955

a. South Platte at South Platte
b. Bear'Creek at Morrison
c. Clear Creek at Golden
d. St. Vrain Creek at Lyons
e. Boulder Creek near Odel
f. South Boulder Creek at Eldorado
g. Big Thompson near Drake
h. Cache La Poudre near Fort Collins

247,400
35,800
157,100
84,400
60,600
50,200
110,600
.240,800
:986,900 acre feet

Transmountain diversions into the Basin as of 1955 accounted for approximately'

181,900 acre feet annually. In addition, as of 1960, there are an estimated

5,200 irrigation wells on the South Platte Basin. According to power

consumption, assuming an average of 100 KWH are required to pump one acre foot

~

of water, the wells of the region produced ,in round figures 560,000 acre feet.

Although ground water is regarded by many as an additional supply, in long

range terms it is not a separate one inasmuch as aquifers are replenished

from snow, rain and applied irrigation water which seeps into the ground.

Many authorities do not consider ground water a "contcributing source,"

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