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2.04.7 <br />0 RESPONSE continued <br />SURFACE WATER RESOURCES -QUANTITY <br />THE GENERAL AREA -The Yampa River rises in the Park Range <br />along the Continental Divide and flows westward to its junction <br />with the Green River. The Williams Fork rises in the Dunkley <br />Flat Tops and Beaver Flat Tops and is separated from the Yaropa <br />River by the Williams Fork mountains. Snowmelt is the principal <br />source of water supply for these rivers and other streams in the <br />upstream of the general area. The pattern of seasonal runoff of <br />the river and its tributaries is like that of other streams in the <br />upper Colorado River Basin that have similar environments. <br />Generally, summer precipitation has small effect on the charge of <br />the principal streams. The base flows of the streams draining <br />the high mountain areas are usually very uniform for about 9 <br />months of each year (USGS, 1966). <br />• The USGS has operated numerous stream gaging facilities within <br />the general area. Three of these stations were selected for use <br />in establishing minimum, maximum and average flows which <br />identify critical low flow, peak discharge rate and seasonal <br />variability of the Yampa and Williams Fork rivers. These gages, <br />which are identified on Exhibit AA, (Exhibits Volume II) are: <br />• East Fork of Williams Fork Near Pagoda, Colorado <br />(09249000) <br />• Yampa River Near Hayden, Colorado (09244400) <br />• Yampa River Below Diversion, Near Hayden, Colorado <br />(09244410) <br />Because of their close proximity to the confluence of the streams <br />draining the proposed permit and adjacent areas, these three <br />gages probably provide the best available information with which <br />to assess potential unpacts of the mining operation upon surface <br />water resources within and downstream of the general area. <br />