2013-10-02_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (3)

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RULE 2 PERMITS The upland plateau region is characterized by generally flat, low-lying mesas, divided by meandering streams with shallow gadients. The valleys of the larger streams, including Milk Creek and the Yampa River are typically broad, with aggrading of the alluvial/colluvial materials. Erosion and sloughing of stream banks is ofren severe due to the abundance of unconsolidated materials in the valley bottom, and typically results in increasing sediment loads to the drainages (CDM, 1985b). The climate in the region is semi-arid, characterized by low precipitation, large daily temperature fluctuations, low humidity, and abundant sunshine. Precipitation averages about 18 inches per yeaz, with most precipitation falling in the form of snow generally between the months of October and April. Surface flows in the general area are dominated by runoff events resulting from either snowmelt or rainfall. Surface water resources in the general area include the drainages of Good Spring Creek and Wilson Creek, perennial streams; Taylor Creek and Streeter Gulch, intermittent and ephemeral streams, respectively; and Jubb Creek, Collum and Morgan Gulches, minor ephemeral drainages. These drainages are illustrated on Map 10A. Good Spring Creek and Wilson Creek are tributaries to Milk Creek, which has its confluence with the Yampa River about 13 miles southwest of Craig, Colorado. Stream flows vary widely within the Lower Yampa River basin, primarily due to differing climatic, physiographic, and geomorphic conditions. Stream flow in the montane areas is generally a result of snowmelt in the spring/early summer months, and in response to summer thunderstorms. The streams are usually intermittent; since there is a lack of significant spring/seep discharge and a lack. of storage in the alluvial deposits. This type of stream regime is typical of the principal drainages in the area including Good Spring, Taylor, and Wilson creeks and their tributaries (CDM, 1985b). i Surface Water Quantity -Surface water monitoring in the general area and the permit and permit revision areas has been conducted since 1975. The U.S. Geological Survey has monitored hydrologic conditions in the Lower Yampa River basin at severe] gaging stations since as early as 1950. The data collected at the gaging stations in the general area are summazized in Table 2.04.7-32. Flows measured in Good Spring, Taylor, Wilson, and Jubb Creeks near Axial, Colorado, for the period of record ranged from minimallno flow, to a peak flow of 82 cubic feet per second (cfs), measured in Wilson Creek. The USGS has discontinued monitoring at most of these stations. Engineering Science measured pazameters in area streams and springs from 1978 through 1982 (ES, 1982), and the USGS measured stream parameters from 1974 until 1981 in the same streams. These data are summarized in Table 2.04.7-32. The report concluded that Taylor, Good Spring, and Wilson creeks all have low baseflows, with mean flow of 1.0 cfs or less in all three drainages. It also concluded that there were no conflicts between the ES data and USGS data. CDM investigated streamflow conditions of the streams in the general area covering a 12-month span from August 1984 through July 1985. Surface water monitoring locations were established in Good Spring Creek, Wilson Creek, and Taylor Creek as part of these studies. A summary of the current and former surface water monitoring locations is presented in Table 2.04.7-33. Monitoring locations are shown on Map 10A. CDM measured flows at two locations in Good Spring Creek that ranged from 0.77 cfs to 75.95 cfs (CDM, 1985b). Base flows typically occurred during the winter months, and ranged from 2.5 to 3.5 cfs. Peak flows generally were measured during April and May, corresponding to snowmelt, spring runoff and precipitation events. Flow measurements at two locations on Wilson Creek ranged from 0.19 cfs to 90.7 cfs (CDM, 1985b). Base flows of 0.4 to 0.7 cfs were observed in the winter months, and peak flows also occurred in the spring. Flows measured in Taylor Creek were typical of an intermittent stream. Base Soath Ta}9or/Lower Wilson - Rule z, Paee 43 Revision Date: 3/30/07 Revision No.: PR-02