| OCR Text |
Show 682 INTERSTATE ADJUDICATIONS it does show that to overestimate it will work particular injury to Wyoming. The lowest established flow was that of 1913. There is no claim or proof that in any other year the flow fell so low. Had there been others some proof of it doubtless would have been presented. This is also true of the very low flow of 1896. Therefore we think it rea- sonably may be assumed that the flow of those years was so exceptional that it is not likely to recur save at long intervals. We conclude in view of all the evidence, and of the several con- siderations we have stated, that the natural and varying flow of this stream at Woods, Avhich is after the recognized Colorado appropria- tions are satisfied, is susceptible by means of practicable storage and conservation of being converted into a fairly constant and dependable flow of 170,000 acre-feet per year, but not more. This we hold to be the available supply at that point after the recognized Colorado diversions are made. The amount may seem large, but, considering what may be accomplished with practicable storage facilities, such as are already provided, and the use of which may be made of the return water, we are persuaded that the amount, while closely pressing the outside limit, is not too large. The problem to be worked out in obtaining a fairly dependable supply in that amount is measurably illustrated by the following table covering all the years for which the evidence supplies the requisite data, the flow during the missing months being fairly estimated. Variance from Variance from Variance from Year Acre-feet average of all average of all 170,000 but 1899 1889............................................... 151,349 -56,893 -38,576 -18,651 1890............................................... 187,406 -20,836 -2,519 +17,406 1891............................................... 226,146 +17,904 +36,221 +56,146 1895____..............._________............... 239,239 +30,997 +49,314 +69,239 1896............................................... 127,022 -81,220 -62,903 -42,978 1897............................................... 270,074 +61,831 +80,149 +100,074 1898............................................... 136,765 -71,477 -53,160 -33,235 1899............................................... 409,730 +201,488 +219,805 +239,730 1900............................................... 267,105 +58,863 +77,180 +97,105 1911_____......................................... 157,240 -51,002 -32,685 -12,760 1912........................____.................. 213,241 +4,999 +23,316 +43,241 1913............................................... 113,593 -94,649 -76,332 -56,047 Average 208,242, including all years. Average 189,925, including all years but 1899. It of course is true that the variation in the flow will not always be just what it was in the years covered by the table, and yet the data obtained by the gaging and measurements in those years show better than anything else what reasonably may be expected in the future. We recognize that the problem which the table is intended to illustrate is not a simple one and that to work it out will involve the exercise of both skill and care. But in this it is not unlike other problems of simi- lar moment. Our belief gathered from all the evidence is that, with the attention which rightly should be bestowed on a problem of such moment, it can be successfully solved within the limits of what is financially and physically practicable. As to Sand Creek, Colorado's witness regarded it as a tributary of the river and estimated its yearly flow at 1.7,000 acre-feet. The creek rises in Colorado, extends into the Laramie Plains in Wyoming and |
