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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where an overlying live stream condition is possible. Creeks

e~cept Beaver and Badger generally deliver returns to the

SQuth Platte River during the irrigation season.

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SOURCES OF WATER

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There are five major sources of water conveyed in the main-stem

channel of the South Platte River. These include the following:

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Native river flow;

Reservoir storage releases;

Colorado-Big Thompson (C-BT) Project water;

Accretions to the river (canal seepage,

irrigation returns, tile drain effluent, and

tributary inflow;

Municipal and industrial discharges.

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Co[orado water law allocates available water in a stream to

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diverters on a priority basis according to historical usage.

Th~ foregoing water supplies are regulated and managed for the

purpose of satisfying established water rights. It is this

impetus which dictates the hydrologic character of the South

Pl~tte River.

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SU~FACE WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT

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The existing nature of the South Platte River in its plains reach

within Colorado is attributable to several factors, among which

are included the seasonal nature of streams in the arid west

ana the intense management of surface waters to meet the needs

of:agriculture, municipalitJes, and other users. In the reach

of: the South Platte River from Kersey to Balzac, the extensive

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