Laserfiche WebLink
2.4. Snowmaking Diversions <br />There is one diversion for making artificial snow in the Yampa River basin, at the <br />Steamboat Springs Ski Area. At the time of the primary snowmaking diversions, typically <br />during the months of October, November, December, and January, the diversions <br />represent 100 percent depletion to the Yampa River streamflows. During the winter and <br />spring months, a portion of the artificial snowpack is consumptively used through the <br />processes of sublimation and evaporation. Then during the subsequent spring snowmelt, <br />the remaining portion of the artificial snow returns to the stream as an accretion. <br />The Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation owns a direct flow water right for <br />snowmaking purposes which it diverts from an alluvial well adjacent to the Yampa River, <br />just upstream of Steamboat Springs. This structure (WDID 582374) was decreed on <br />December 31, 1981 for 8.0 cfs. It carries an appropriation date of January 12, 1981 <br />(Administration No. 47859.00000). The Ski Corporation also has made application for a <br />conditional water right for an expansion of the snowmaking system. This application <br />(also for 8.0 cfs) is pending. <br />According to records obtained from the Ski Co., the annual water use for snowmaking <br />has averaged about 275 acre-feet per season, on the following schedule: <br />October November December January TOTAL <br />15 110 120 30 275 <br />The consumptive loss attributable to the artificial snow pack is estimated to be about 20 <br />percent, based on procedures developed for Colorado Ski Country USA. The return flows <br />are expected to occur during the peak snowmelt season, in April and May. <br />2.5. Key Municipal Water Systems <br />The city of Craig diverts the majority of its municipal water supply at the Craig Water <br />Supply Pipeline (WDID 440581), a pumped diversion in the Yampa River, just upstream <br />from the mouth of Fortification Creek. To provide a reliable reserve water supply for <br />future growth and extreme dry year conditions, the city acquired the storage water rights <br />in Elkhead Creek Reservoir from the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW). This <br />represents approximately 1,668 acre-feet of water in storage which can be released as <br />necessary to offset shortages after use of the direct flow right. <br />The city of Steamboat Springs and the Mt. Werner WSD divert the majority of their <br />municipal water supplies from the Fish Creek Municipal Intake (WDID 58 0642). A <br />number of senior direct flow irrigation water rights have been changed and transferred to <br />this structure for municipal uses. The two entities share the diversion structure and water <br />treatment facilities. According to city personnel, the direct flow rights are generally <br />sufficient to satisfy the demand through the end of July. At that time, the physical supply <br />in Fish Creek begins to decrease and it is necessary to supplement the direct flow <br />diversions with water released from storage in Fish Creek Reservoir. The two entities can <br />Yampa River Basin Information 2-4 <br />