WSP08290

• File Number: 8449.916
• Description: South Platte Projects
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Date: 8/1/1997
• Author: McLaughlin Water Eng
• Title: Platte River Basin Study
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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Section I

Introduction and Purpose

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The Western Water Policy Review Act of 1992 (Pub. L.102-575, Title xxx,
October 30, 1992, 106 Stat. 4693) authorized a broad-based review of western
water policy and related legal and institutional issues. This legislation
directed the president to carry out the investigation and send a report to
Congress by October 2, 1997. Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt has
chartered the Western Water Policy Review Advisory Commission to assist in
this activity.

For this report, the commission is carrying out a focused program of research
and recommendation to the Secretary of the Interior. Two areas of research
have been initiated: (1) a description of the status of water related resources
in the West today, and (2) an investigation of how water is managed in
western river basins and watersheds, with an emphasis on the federal role.

In line with this objective, the commission is conducting studies of six western
river basins, of which this study on the Platte River basin is one. The goals of
this river basin study are to research and prepare a report which:

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. Summarizes the status of water resources management and
development in the basin and defines water resources problems.

. Describes and analyzes past and current efforts to address water
resources problems.

. Recommends practical policy and program changes, with an emphasis
on the federal role, that would lead to more effective and efficient
water resources management.

Basin Description

The Physical Basin

Both the North and South Platte Rivers originate in the Rocky Mountains of
Colorado. Figure 1 presents a location map of the Platte River basin. The
North Platte's headwaters are located in Jackson County, Colorado, from
where it flows north into Wyoming. The South Platte originates in Park
County, Colorado, southwest of Denver. The South Platte then flows
northward through the Denver metropolitan area and increases its flow from
major tributaries that originate in the mountains to the west. The two main
stems flow through High Plains until reaching their confluence near North