i_wrrc_2017a_2017-10-05t09:02:34z5 Hearing Summary

Date: 10/05/2017

Location: SCR 352

01:31 PM -- Follow-Up on High Groundwater Issues



The committee came back to order.



01:34 PM



Jim Yahn and Joe Frank, Water Rights Association of the South Platte (WRASP), introduced themselves to the committee and provided a historical background of the South Platte River Basin. He discussed the membership of WRASP and stated that the South Platte is responsible for 250,000 irrigated acres. Mr. Frank discussed the South Platte River Compact, signed by Colorado and Nebraska in 1923, and major transbasin water supply projects on the South Platte River, such as the Colorado Big Thompson project.



01:49 PM



Mr. Yahn discussed the development of augmentation plans on the South Platte River and the administration of conjunctive use on the South Platte River. He discussed the administration of the South Platte River and emphasized the importance of the return flows from irrigation ditches on the river. He described how the pumping from a well can diminish return flows, and therefore downstream water rights. Mr. Frank discussed the impact of diversions on return flows and how much water is diverted of the South Platte River annually. Mr. Yahn and Mr. Frank responded to questions from the committee.