WSP06130

• File Number: 8200.760
• Description: Yampa River General
• State: CO
• Basin: Yampa/White
• Water Division: 6
• Date: 2/26/1957
• Author: BOR
• Title: Yampa-White Project - Colorado Utah and Wyoming - Reconnaissance Report - February 1957
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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C:iAPTER III

PROJECT DEVELOPl-1El'IT
(Two Bar unit)

Unit lands and land use

The irrigable acreage to be served by the Two Bar unit is summarized
below by land class.

Land class
Class 2
Clas s 3
Total

Irrigable acreage--Two
(Unit--acres)
Full
irrigation
service land
2,350
1,910
4,260

Bar unit

Supplemental
irrigation
service land
o
o
o

Total
2.350
1,910
4,260

lands of the Two Bar unit range from 5,600 feet to 5,800 feet in
elevation. The frost-free period is estimated at 123 days, and the average
irrigation season at 153 days. Precipitation averages about 8 inches
a:mually, 3 to 4 inches of \rhich usually occurs between l-lay and September.
inclusive.

The soils of the unit lands are generally alluvial and have a relativel.
hiGh fertility. The alkalinity and salinity of the arable lands are moder-
ate to low and most of the lands are expected to re~uire little artificial
drainage. Because of the slo.' meandering course of the Y3IDpa River, how-
ever, some of the lower tracts of land may be affected by a high water table
and may re~uire artificial drainage.

The unit lands are presently undeveloped and produce grass, sagebrush,
and greasewood. Uith ade~uate irriGation water. the lands would be adapt-
able to a diversified type of agricultural development and could be devoted
to the production of cash crops, small grains, alfalfa, and pasture. Sheep
production and dairying probably would be predominant on the farms.

,later supply

With the Two Bar unit in operation during a 15-year period similar to
the study period of 1929 through 1943. irrigation supplies for unit lands
would be increased by an average of 12,490 acre-feet annually at the turn-
outs from the main canals. The supply would average about 95 percent of
ideal re~uirements. Stream depletions resultin.; from use of the water
would average about 10,010 acre-feet aflnuslly.

Analyses of water samples obtained during the investigation of the
Savery-Pot Hook project indicated that return flow from the project would
be acceptable for use by the Two Bar u:'lit. The samples were taken from
return flow during the late summer when saline concentrations are normally
the greaT,est. The analyses ind$.ca.ted that the return flow water would have

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