Laserfiche WebLink
The most important tributaries that enter below Paorla are Roatcap and <br />Re~^.iolds Creeks which enter from the north and south banks respectively, <br />within 12 miles of town, and .lay, Lerou Bell and Cottonwood Creeks that enter <br />at various points below. <br />4~'ater flows ir. the North Fork aze strongly ir_''luenced by water control <br />through Paonia Reservoaz, by water withdrawal from several irrigation canals, <br />and by ref low from irrigated lands back into the river. Withdrawals at Bowie <br />(Fire Mountain Canal), between Bowie and Paonia (Steirart's Ditch) and just <br />above Paonia (Farmer's Ditch and Feldman Ditch's withdraw significant flows, <br />and cause significant dewatering of the river. Some of this water returns to <br />the river below Paonia, howeve_~ all of these canals significantly influence <br />water flows in the Faonia area. <br />Significant effects on xater volume and euality of the North Fork are <br />by irrigation. This factor contributes to reduced flows and increased <br />• salinities, mitrients, and probably herbicide pesticide levels. Indirectly, <br />lower flows contribute to higher summer temperatures. P.dditional volumes are <br />affected by the municipalities of Som erset (above Paonia), ?-lotchkiss (below <br />Paonia), and several smaller communities along the valley aad mesas. These <br />are sources of nutrients and other effluents from discharges directly into <br />the river and thro~.:gh ground water. Industrial use is presently minor com- <br />pared to agriculture, particulazly in the upper part of the valley, al*.hough <br />several coal mines have cpe_rated above Paonia in the past or a_re presently <br />operating. Of these, ;tawksnest and Black Bear Mines in the r_cinity of <br />Som erset are prebably the most significant. ~,uantitative infcrr.,ation on the'az <br />water use or effect on North Fork water duality aze presently spazse. <br />• and Pacnia Ditch <br />2-5 <br />