|
|
|
|
Stream & Lake Protection
The Stream and Lake Protection Section manages and administers the state’s Instream Flow Program. The section is responsible for the appropriation, acquisition and protection of instream flow and natural lake level water rights to preserve and improve the natural environment to a reasonable degree.
In our semi-arid state, water is scarce, with many competing demands placed on it by an ever-increasing population. In 1973, the State Legislature recognized the need to correlate the activities of mankind with reasonable preservation of the natural environment and vested the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) with the exclusive authority to appropriate and acquire water for instream flows to preserve or improve the natural environment to a reasonable degree.
The Instream Flow Program is managed and administered in accordance with the Statutes, the ISF Rules, and the Strategic Plan for the Section which were adopted by the CWCB Board in May 2005.
Additional program guidance is provided by the ISF Subcommittee, a standing committee of the Board.
The CWCB's Instream Flow and Natural Lake Level water rights protect diverse environments in Colorado including:
- Coldwater and warm water fisheries (various streams and lakes)
- Waterfowl habitat (Gageby Creek)
- Unique glacial ponds and habitat for neotenic salamanders (Mexican Cut Ponds and Galena Lake)
- Unique hydrologic and geologic features (Hanging Lake and Deadhorse Creek)
- Critical habitat for endangered native, warm water fish (Yampa and Colorado River)
- A non-consumptive, "in-channel" or "in-lake" use of water
- Made exclusively by the CWCB
- For "minimum flows" between specific points on a stream, or "levels" in natural lakes
- To preserve or improve the natural environment to a reasonable degree
- Administered within the State's water right priority system
|
|
|
|
|