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ADMINISTRATION PROTOCOL <br />Delivering Water Using the Natural Stream <br />Division One —South Platte River <br />This document outlines the actions water users must take in order for the Division of <br />Water Resources to deliver water by means of the natural stream. This protocol is <br />subordinate to any contradicting decreed language addressing specific water rights. <br />Access <br />The language of section 37 -84 -113, C.R.S., implicitly acknowledges that a natural <br />stream may be used as a conduit.' <br />Notification <br />The water user must notify the water commissioner at least 48 hours and not more <br />than 7 days prior to the release of water being delivered via a natural stream system <br />unless the water commissioner specifically approves a different notice requirement in <br />advance of the release. Advance notice is necessary in order to provide the water <br />commissioner the time required to confirm that the delivery can be made under the <br />current stream conditions. <br />Measurement Structures <br />In accordance with §37 -84 -113, C.R.S., water users seeking to use the natural stream to <br />deliver water <br />"shall construct suitable and proper measuring flumes or weirs, equipped with <br />self - registering devices if required by the state engineer, for the proper and <br />accurate determination of the amount and flow of water turned into, carried <br />through, and diverted out of said natural stream." (underline emphasis added) <br />In short, water users are responsible for the construction of all measurement structures <br />required to administer their water. This may include measurement structures required, <br />in the opinion of the water commissioner or division engineer, to deliver their water past <br />intervening water rights that are drying or "sweeping" the river. <br />If the water commissioner is unable to corroborate that water was delivered past a <br />structure that was sweeping the river, none of the water released will be available <br />for diversion or replacement credit below the sweeping structure. <br />Transit Loss <br />The volume of water available for diversion or replacement credit is the volume released <br />to the stream less transit loss. The transit loss will: <br />• comply with any specific court decree covering the delivery; <br />• be based on current conditions and shall be determined by the water <br />commissioner or division engineer; <br />• be the same for all water users in the same reach of the river or stream at the <br />time of the delivery. <br />Trail's End Ranch, LLC v. CO DWR, 91 P.3d 1058 (Colo. 2004). <br />Administration Protocol — Delivery of Water <br />January 31, 2008 <br />