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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storage season activity is geared toward conserving and extending

available water supplies. As much water as possible is

introduced to storage. Efficient system regulation involves

d~ing up rivers at points of reservoir diversion.

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System operation during the irrigation season makes use of

natural flow, reservoir storage, and river accretions. During

th$ early portion of the season, water needs are satisfied by

direct runoff and return flows. High country snowmelt generally

occurs from mid-May to mid-June. In July and August, storage

releases are significant. Many ditches are supplied exclusively

by seepage and returns tributary to the main-stem river system.

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Irtigation flows are often managed by sophisticated programs of

diversion and exchange. Water requirements of downstream senior

diverters may be satisfied by reservoir storage releases. Upstream

ditches may use exchanged river water. Flow in specific portions

of:the river may be exhausted in intervening reaches.

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Delivery of water to various ditches may be accomplished through

canals, reservoirs, and ditches that bypass the main-stem channel

of .major rivers in the region. In instances where the river

channel is used to convey water to downstream users, these

supplies often sustain flows in stream reaches at high levels

that normally would not exist under unregulated conditions. A

call for stored water by a downstream ditch may determine to a

lange degree the volume of river flow passing upstream locations.

Fluptuating ditch headgate requirements cause concommitant

fluctuations in streamflow.

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2-5

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