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4 I NTRODUCT IO N " Purpose c' The study reported herein is a continuation of work initiiJted under the authorization of Senate Bill 407 enacted by the Colorddo 46th General Assembly in 1967. An earlier report by the writers "Progress Report on Senate 13\11 No. 407 Study" sets forth the purposes of the study and the basi c premises on which they are founded, 50 these are not repeated here. Suffice it to say that the work is to provide the necessary physical and engineering information to develop realistic and practical legiolation directed at harmonious administriation and use of both surface water and groundwater where the two supplies are closely interrelated. , Description of Area Water District 2 lies along the main stem of the South Platte River between the gaging stations at Denver and near Kersey. The District also encompasses m0st of Big Dry Creek, however this study has been limited to those ditches diverting water from the South Platte River. Water District 2 is largely agricultural, although rapid urbanization has been taking place in the upper portion of the District. A sizeable acreage of land is irrigated by diversions from the South Platte which is not located in the main river valley. This acreage is located in the parallel valleys to the east. Beebe Draw, Box Elder Creek Valley and Prospect Valley. Each of these valleys are tributary to the main stem of the South Platte, but only Beebe Draw lies within and joins the South Platte River within ~ater District 2. Therefore, return flow from water conveyed into the 30x Elder and Prospect Valleys does not augmenL the sur- face flow in Water District 2. ~' ,. Water District 2 differs from the other ilater Districts of the South Platte Basin in that its surface water supply enters at a number of points. Bcsides the inflow in the main stem of the South Platte, four major per- ennial tributaries enter the South Platte within the District. Clear Creek, St. Vrain Creek, Dig Thompson River, and Cache la Poudre River. The Cache la Poudre River, however, enters Water District 2 below the headgdtes of all ditches within the District. Acknowlcdqements Many agencies and individuals have been helpful in providing data and information used in this study. The writers wish to express their appreciation to the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation, the U. S. Geological Survey, the (Jffice of the State Engineer, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, the Northern Colorado Water Users Association, and the Consolidated Ditches Company of Water District 2. Individuals within Water District 2 who have been especi all y helpful include: Wa tcr Commi ssioner Paul Meehl, Brigh ton; Oscar Erickson, Platteville; Ray Sarchet, Fort Lupton; and Attorney William Gaunt, Brighton. ',' ./.