WSP05690

• File Number: 8407
• Description: Platte River Basin - River Basin General Publications
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 1/1/1978
• Author: Toups Corp
• Title: Water Resources Investigation in the South Platte River Valley - Reach Number 2
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Many of the existing programs and plans presently formulated

by drought-impaired ditches address the problem of short-

term drought in Reach No.2 of the South Platte valley.

These programs should be implemented as soon as possible.

Long-term drought relief would be best served by a

formalized, sophisticated program of conjunctive use.

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Generalized programs capable of satisfying irrigation water

requirements under temporary or extendcd periods of drought

include variations of the following options:

* Use of existing wells;
* Development of new wells;
* Development of additional surface water storage capaci!ty.

Improvement in irrigation efficiency when ground water

supplies are involved is considered inappropriate. Because

of the recharge benefit which accrues to the subsurface

water supply system from seepage, canal lining should be

discouraged.

The ability of irrigators in Reach No. 2 to utilize ground

water supplies on approximately 75 percent of cropland lends

little incentive to reduce seepage or return flow runoff.

On the contrary, such supplies typically recharge the regional

surface or ground water systems, and become available for reuse.

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During the irrigation season, seepage and tributary inflow

(returns) represent a significant source of recharge to the

surface water system of the region. A serious legal considerati@n

arises if elimination or diminishing of returns impairs

water rights of downstream users.

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