Date: 08/14/2012
Final
South Platte River Hydrology and Administration
WATER RESOURCES REVIEW COMMITTEE
| Votes: View--> | Action Taken: |
| <none> | <none> |
01:03 PM
Representative Sonnenberg, chairman of the committee, called the meeting to order. A quorum was present.
01:04 PM -- South Platte River Hydrology and Administration
Jim Yahn, Manager, North Sterling and Prewitt Reservoirs, and Chairman of the South Platte Basin Roundtable, introduced himself and provided an overview of the presentation concerning the history and mechanics of the South Platte Basin (Attachment A).
01:07 PM
Jo Frank, Executive Director, Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District, described the settlement and development of the South Platte River Basin (Attachment A). He explained that the earliest diversions from the river were for mining, agriculture, and municipal purposes and he described the development of the doctrine of prior appropriation that regulates water diversions from the South Platte River and other Colorado streams.
01:11 PM
Mr. Yahn described the development of direct flow water rights in the South Platte Basin and the development of reservoirs to store surplus water for use during water shortages. He explained that the basin receives approximately 1.4 million acre-feet (AF) of water annually from rain and snow. It also receives approximately 400,000 AF annually from the Colorado River Basin, called transbasin diversions. He also described the development of groundwater resources in the basin that started in the 1950's in response to a drought, rural electric needs, and improved well pumping technology.
1:19 PM
Mr. Frank identified historic studies of water resources in the South Platte Basin that document increased return flows related to water diversions. As a result of these return flows, seasonal surface flows have been increasing in the river. He also described the history of interstate water conflicts and the development of the South Platte River Compact that allocates water between Colorado and Nebraska.
1:29 PM
Mr. Yahn described the history of groundwater pumping regulations, which began in 1953 with the enactment of the Underground Water Act. He also described how water augmentation helps prevent injury to senior water rights by replacing water depletions caused by ground water diversions. Mr. Yahn also discussed recent litigation that determined that the water courts have exclusive authority to approve out-of-priority depletions. This litigation also determined that the State Engineer does not have the authority to approve augmentation plans.
1:32 PM
Mr. Yahn responded to questions from the committee about the effect of historic groundwater use on return flows in the South Platte River Basin.