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WATER AVAILABILITY <br />• <br />Available Flows• <br />The available flow for water right usage is dependent on precipitation, evapo- <br />transpiration, and groundwater changes. <br />The run-off fran precipitation is dependent on both the amount and timing of pre- <br />cipitation. Large amounts of precipitation will result in large arAbunts of <br />run-off. The timing of the precipitation also governs the amount of run-off. <br />For example, rain for several days will create more flows due to the ground mois- <br />ture saturation. 'lhe same amount of rain scattered between sunny days will pro- <br />duce less run-off due to lowered ground moisture. Also, the season in which the <br />precipitation is received will alter the run-off period. For instance, snowfall <br />does not immediately tvn off. <br />The type of vegetation within a specific area governs the amount of precipitation <br />that is evapotranspired. The water balance for Steven's (Llch shows approximate- <br />. ly 16 inches of evapotranspiration Fran available precipitation. <br />F.un-off data fran the continuous recording Parshall flumes is found in the <br />Hydrology Appendix, Volume 4. This shwas the run-off in acre feet of the various <br />drainages. <br />Irrigation Flows: <br />Irrigation flows and subsequent diversion of streamflow is dependent on the needs <br />of the water user. Q~ring periods of high natural precipitation, less irrigation <br />water is required. NWCh like the evapotranspiration in various basins, the type <br />of crops groan will also govern the irrigation needs of agricultural crops. For <br />instance, alfalfa requires much more irrigation flow than orchards. <br />The actual water delivered to agriculh~ral crops is dependent cn the transporta- <br />tion losses. Losses can be experienced fran leakage in the ditch system and <br />evaporation. Typically, leakage is Hoch higher than the evaporation losses. CWI <br />• <br />