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C) .,,,.,.,,j CJ RIFLE CITY WATER .suPPLY Source ~1' City Water Supply The City of Rifle with population of 1,486 (1940 census) is a potential purchaser of project water. The City is supplied water from three separate sources. Through the purchase of an early irrigation right the city is the owner of one-half the number 1 right for 2 second- feet on Beaver Creek, tributary to the Colorado River from the south near the town of Rifle. This right provides the City with approximately one second-foot during the spring and early sumner months of the year but during other seasons the available stream flow drops to as low as one- half second-foot. Water diverted tUlder this right is' used only for culinary purposes in the water works system of Rifle City. A second source of water supply for the City is Rifle Creek. The City shares in the ownership of right number 4 of the creek. This right is fully supplied in all years. As a result of this right the City is entitled to divert one and one-half second-feet. Diversion is made by the Rifle Canyon Ditch and the water is used for irrigation purposes on . lawns and gardens within the City. At one time this source of supply was used for culinary purposes in the city water works system but due to the heavy silt load carried by Rifle Creek water its use for culinary purposes was discontinued. A third source of supply for the City is the Main Colorado River. In 1939. faced with a serious water shortage on Beaver Creek and silt difficulties on Rifle Creek, the City installed a pumping plant on the bank of the Colorado River near P~fle. A treatment plant and settling facilities were also constructed above the City which provides for the