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Delta Soil Conservation District dated February 17. 1981 indicates that agronomic <br />development in this 90-acre tract is doubtful. <br />During the periods 1950-62, 1964-70, 1972-1974, and 1977, water yields from the <br />Deep Creek diversion canal were greater than releases from Minnesota Reservoir. <br />During water years 1978, 1979, and 1980, all water passing through the Deep Creek <br />Ditch into Minnesota Reservoir was released from the reservoir. Assuming no <br />seepage and transmission losses, contributions of Deep Creek Ditch flow releases <br />from Minnesota Reservoir ranged from only 13.5 percent to 25.4 percent between <br />1978 and 1980. It is assumed that seepage and transmission losses in the diversion <br />canal result in a Deep Creek Ditch yield of less than 80 percent. <br />The applicant has stated that the records of water yield from Minnesota Reservoir are <br />not reliable and that there is no way to develop a meaningful comparison between the <br />Deep Creek Ditch yield and the Minnesota Reservoir yield. As a result, it is difficult <br />to assess the quantity and frequency of "natural" water supporting alluvial functions in <br />the 90-acre tract immediately above Minnesota Reservoir. It is conceivable that the <br />unconsolidated deposits contained within the 90-acre tract of land on the Dry Fork of <br />Minnesota Creek are the direct result of artificial water availability, specifically the <br />Minnesota Reservoir Dam and the Deep Creek Diversion Ditch. However, based on <br />the high elevation, short growing season, reduced soil conditions, poor grazing <br />conditions, and information submitted by the Delta Soil Conservation District, the <br />Division has made a negative alluvial valley floor determination for the 90-acre tract <br />on the Dry Fork of Minnesota Creek. <br />The applicant has delineated those areas along the main stem of Minnesota Creek <br />where agricultural activities are supported by irrigation or Flood irrigation. For these <br />areas the flow regime of Minnesota Creek is totally controlled by a series of reservoirs <br />and diversion ditches. Beaver Reservoir effectively regulates spring runoff on the <br />East Fork as it is being filled. Reservoir releases regulate stream Flow during late <br />summer. Minnesota Reservoir effectively regulates spring runoff from Dry Fork with <br />reservoir releases controlling late surnmer flows. Additionally, the Deep Creek Ditch, <br />an inter-basin diversion, supplies water to Minnesota Reservoir to satisfy the <br />Reservoir Company's refill right. During low flows (i.e., irrigation demand periods), <br />the Turner and Minnesota ditches effectively dry up Minnesota Creek. Below this <br />point return flow utilization, if any, is the water source for activities during low flows. <br />One of the concerns raised during the initial adequacy review of the previous permit <br />renewal application was that there may be water depletion effects in the Minnesota <br />Creek basin from the mining operation under worst-case projections. If this were to <br />occur, the effects could be felt down to and including the Turner and Minnesota <br />Ditches. Because of this, a request was made of the applicant to identify all known <br />AVFs that may derive their water supply from these ditches and to include alluvial <br />deposits and agricultural areas along Minnesota Creek to the conFluence of the North <br />Fork near Paonia. Agricultural areas were to be identified as either subirrigated or <br />flood irrigated. This information was needed by the Division to make the finding that <br />59 <br />