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

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I

Section II

Critical Water Problems in the Platte River Basin

Introduction

This section presents a basic overview and description of several critical water
problems in the Platte River basin including:

. Flows for endangered species in the central Platte (a federal and
interstate problem)

. Flows for wildlife in lower Platte (an intrastate problem)

. Non-point pollution of the central and lower Platte from agricultural
chemicals

. Nebraska v. Wyoming dispute

. Metropolitan Denver water supply needs

. Local watershed case study

This section primarily presents an analysis and description of the problem
with emphasis on the decision making vehicles used in resolving the problem.
In Section III a detailed analysis concerning the adequacy and efficiency of
these decision making and management vehicles is presented.

Flows for Endangered Species in the Central Platte: A Federal and
Interstate Problem

Overview and Description

Flow to maintain habitat for the endangered species of birds (Whooping
Crane, Piping Plover and Least Tern) in the central Platte River in Nebraska
is one of the crucial water resource management problems in the Platte River
basin. The problem is to provide flows of sufficient amounts, duration and
frequency to maintain habitat for the endangered species (Van Derwalker,
1988).

Numerous efforts have been completed or are presently underway to assist in
resolving conflicts over providing these habitat flows including:

7