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<br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />r1! ", ~ "., 1 <br />u ... .". '" ~ <br /> <br />Permitting the storage of the Companies' water upstream of Barr Lake (particularly in Cherry <br />Creek, Bear Creek and Chatfield Reservoirs) is also a critical component of maintaining the <br />recreation and wildlife habitat which those reservoirs provide. For instance, major upstream <br />recreational and water supply reservoirs can benefit from "out of priority" diversions against <br />the Companies' priorities. Historically, Cherry Creek Reservoir has benefitted from the lack of <br />administration of water rights in the Cherry Creek basin. In the past, Cherry Creek Reservoir <br />retained water in the recreational pool which should have been released to Barr Lake under <br />the Companies' decrees. Changes now underway in the administration of Cherry Creek will <br />result in a long term reduction of water in Cherry Creek Reservoir. A study by W. W <br />Wheeler and Associates concluded that such reduction would render Cherry Creek Reservoir <br />completely dry after a series of "normal" water years. Under the Barr Lake Plan, water could <br />be retained out of priority in Cherry Creek Reservoir and the depletions made up from re- <br />useable return flows. <br /> <br />Out of priority storage in Chatfield Reservoir can similarly benefit recreational and municipal <br />users. As noted above, the Barr system is generally out of priority during the irrigation <br />season. However, Barr comes back into priority during the short but intense storms which are <br />characteristic along the Front Range. For several days following a storm, Barr diverts excess <br />storm flows while the senior direct flow rights are temporarily satisfied. Because of the high <br />capacity of the Burlington-O'Brian Canal (2,000 acre feet per day), this diversion results in <br />several thousand acre feet of water each year. Rather than calling this water through <br />Chatfield, this water could be retained for use in Chatfield or other upstream reservoirs. <br />Properly accounted for, most of this water can be returned to Barr as return flows from <br />municipal use. <br /> <br />9 <br />