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Powder/Tongue River Basin Water Plan
Technical Memoranda
| SUBJECT: |
Appendix A
Irrigation Diversion Operation and Description
COLUMBUS CREEK
|
|
| PREPARED BY: |
HKM Engineering Inc. |
|
| DATE: |
March 2002 |
COLUMBUS CREEK
FIVE MILE DITCH DIVERSION
COLUMBUS CREEK DRAINAGE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND
Columbus Creek flows out of the east slope of the Bighorn Mountains, between Piney Creek drainage to
the south and the East Fork of the Big Goose to the north. Its flows consist primarily of snow pack melt
generated in the eastern side of the Bighorn Mountains and as a result, tend to increase to 20-30 cfs in
May and June, then decrease to 4-5 cfs by September. Columbus joins the Tongue River just upstream of
Ranchester, Wyoming. The Tongue leaves Wyoming north of Acme, Wyoming, to fill the Tongue River
Reservoir in Montana.
CHARACTERISTICS
Columbus Creek works its way through cobble and gravel bars from old river channels, driving up the
instream losses. Its passage near shallow subdivision wells probably also increase its losses.
USAGE
Columbus Creek’s diversions are devoted almost entirely to agricultural irrigation.
Regulation
Columbus Creek typically does not go into regulation. Return flows are enough to replenish creek flow to
satisfy downstream demand even though the creek is entirely diverted at Five Mile Ditch.
Agriculture
See irrigation and crop planting practices in the memorandum below.
The typical irrigation season runs from April 15-May 1 (depending on whether the spring runoff is
delayed by colder weather) to mid/early October (depending on when the first snows fall and the ground
freezes). All of the irrigators using Columbus Creek water practice post-season irrigation, using their full
rights to do so.
Double Appropriation
Irrigation water rights with priority dates of March 1, 1945 or earlier are entitled to an additional 1cfs per
70 acres under Wyoming’s surplus water statutes. Whenever the supply in a stream exceeds the amount
required to satisfy all existing appropriations established prior to March 1, 1985, the stream is said to be
in an excess flow condition and water right holders with priorities between March 2, 1945 and March 1,
1985 may use an additional 1 cfs for each 70 acres irrigated.
In Columbus Creek, this practice is limited by the flow in Columbus Creek (less than 30 cfs in the past
few years) and the condition of the ditches, none of which is estimated to carry double appropriation.
Permitted Uses
Permits granted for water appropriation are granted for specific uses. The following pages contain tables
of permits and their associated uses. The following table provides a key to those uses:
| Code |
Use |
|---|
| Chem |
Chemical |
| Com |
Commercial |
| Cul |
Culinary |
| D |
Domestic |
| Drl |
Drilling |
| Eng |
Steam Engines |
| Fire |
Fire Protection |
| Fish |
Fish Propogation |
| F.C. |
Flood Control |
| I |
Irrigation |
| Ind |
Industrial |
| I.F. |
Instream Flow |
| Mech |
Mechanical |
| Mfg |
Manufacturing |
| Mil |
Milling |
| Min |
Mining |
| Misc |
Miscellaneous |
| Mun |
Municipal |
| Oil |
Oil Refining or Production |
| P.C. |
Pollution Control |
| Power |
Power Development |
| R.R. |
Railroad |
| Rec |
Recreational |
| Ref |
Refining |
| Res. Supply |
Supply Facility for a Reservoir |
| S |
Stock |
| T |
Transportation |
WATER RIGHTS
Two water rights summary tables are provided for each diversion serving irrigation referenced here. The
first, included in the body of the diversion synopsis, refers to the rights on record with the State
Engineer’s Office and is derived from that office’s Tabulation of Adjudicated Surface Water Rights of the
State of Wyoming, Water Division Number Two (Oct. 1999).
Because this rights summary is pulled directly from the SEO Tab, the rights cited follow the SEO’s
priority order:
| Hierarchy |
Format of right |
Example |
|---|
| 1 |
Day, Month, Year |
05-15-1884 |
| 2 |
Month and Year |
05-00-1884 |
| 3 |
Specified Season and Year |
Spring 1884 |
| 4 |
Year Only |
1884 |
| 5 |
Before Year |
Before 1884 |
Board orders or court orders may also establish a specific priority.
Irrigated Lands Water Rights Database
The second table, which follows the diversion synopsis, is taken from the irrigated lands water rights
database developed for the basin plan. It can be used as a reference with the following caveats: It only
lists water rights associated with the irrigated lands polygons mapped by HKM. The table does not
include nonirrigation rights devoted to reservoir supply, municipal, fish propagation, etc. The rights on
this table are associated only with those irrigated lands identified through the course of this study, both
actively irrigated and currently idle.
| Column Heading Key |
| PerNo |
Permit Number |
"Terr" denotes a territorial right. |
| PerSfx |
Permit Suffix |
D = direct flow |
| E = enlargement |
| R = reservoir |
| Facility Name |
Parantheses denote the former means of conveyance for the water right. |
| Unit |
Flow or volume |
CFS = cubic feet per second |
| AF = acre-feet |
| GPM = gallons per minute |
| SupTyp |
Supply Type |
OS = original supply |
| SS = supplement supply, for lands having an original supply from another source. |
| Sec = secondary supply, for water stored in a reservoir |
| Status |
Status of adjudication |
Adj = adjudicated |
| Una = unadjudicated |
| Source |
Source water |
Parantheses denote the permit number of the related storage right. |
KEY DIVERSIONS
| Diversion: |
FIVE MILE DITCH DIVERSION |
Five-Mile Ditch Headgate |
| Date |
9/12/2000 |
| Note: |
The Five Mile Ditch diverts all the flows of Columbus Creek. Thus, the
recorded ditch data from the Five Mile recorder doubles as the Columbus
Creek recorder. |
| Diversion Description: |
Headgate consists of a single 4.0 x 4.0-foot square wood-and-steel gate
in steel slides operated with a Waterman-type screw, mounted in a steel
throat. The area surrounding the headgate can be marshy and is
significantly overgrown. |
| Diversion Location: |
The Five Mile Ditch diversion is located on the main stem of Columbus
Creek. |
Five-Mile Ditch stream gage/recorder |
|
| Headgate: |
| Lat. |
Long. |
| N 44° 55' 1.2'' |
W 107° 22' 15.4'' |
|
| Stream gage/recorder: |
| Lat. |
Long. |
| N 44° 55' 1.4'' |
W 107° 22' 14.1'' |
|
| Conveyance Description: |
Open channel canal, approx. 8.5 mi. long. The conveyance includes a
number of flumes and includes Wagner and Five Mile reservoir in its
flow path. |
| Direct Flow Water Rights: |
The summary of direct flow rights follows: |
|
| Permit |
Priority Date |
Permitted Use |
Acres |
Flow (cfs) |
Cumulative (cfs) |
|---|
| Terr. |
08-16-1882 |
D, I, S |
7.0 |
0.20 |
0.20 |
| Terr. |
08-16-1882 |
D, I, S |
7.0 |
0.20 |
0.40 |
| Terr. |
08-16-1882 |
I |
10.0 |
0.25 |
0.65 |
| Terr. |
08-16-1882 |
D, I, S |
16.0 |
0.34 |
0.99 |
| Terr. |
08-16-1882 |
I |
40.0 |
0.67 |
1.66 |
| Terr. |
08-16-1882 |
D, I, S |
60.0 |
0.96 |
2.62 |
| Terr. |
08-16-1882 |
D, I, S |
70.0 |
1.10 |
3.72 |
| Terr. |
08-16-1882 |
D, I, S |
70.0 |
1.10 |
4.82 |
| Terr. |
08-16-1882 |
D, I, S |
85.0 |
1.31 |
6.31 |
| Terr. (Sec) |
08-16-1882 |
D, I, S |
90.0 |
1.38 |
7.51 |
| Terr. |
08-16-1882 |
D, I, S |
90.0 |
1.38 |
8.89 |
| Terr. |
08-16-1882 |
D, I, S |
100.0 |
1.53 |
10.42 |
| Terr. |
08-16-1882 |
D, I |
120.0 |
1.81 |
12.23 |
| Terr. |
08-16-1882 |
D, I, S |
160.0 |
2.39 |
14.62 |
| Terr. |
08-16-1882 |
D, I, S |
300.0 |
4.38 |
19.00 |
| Terr. |
08-16-1882 |
D, I, S |
385.0 |
5.60 |
24.60 |
| Terr. |
06-00-1886 |
I |
6 |
0.19 |
24.79 |
| Terr. |
12-31-1890 |
D, I, S |
10.0 |
0.24 |
25.03 |
| Terr. |
12-31-1890 |
I |
10.0 |
0.24 |
25.27 |
| Terr. |
12-31-1890 |
D, I, S |
160.0 |
2.39 |
27.66 |
| 1521E |
08-26-1903 |
I |
50.0 |
0.71 |
28.37 |
| 4423E |
11-12-1924 |
I |
437.1 |
6.24 |
34.61 |
Note: “Sec” denotes secondary supply, or water stored in a reservoir.
| | Associated Storage Rights: |
Rights associated with Wagner and Five Mile reservoirs. |
| Irrigation Practices: |
Approx. 50 percent pivot and siderolls, 50 percent ditch-flood. Irrigators
tend to plant approx. 35 percent corn, 40 percent alfalfa, and 25 percent
hay. |
| Return Flows: |
Return flows were not known. |
| Losses: |
20 percent by the end of the ditch |
| References: |
Bill Knapp, water commissioner, State Engineer’s Office, interview, 9
Feb. 2001 |
|
Pat Boyd, water commissioner, State Engineer’s Office, interview, 12
Sept. 2000 |
Irrigated Lands Water Rights Database
| PerNo |
PerSfx |
Facility Name |
Priority |
Acres |
Amount |
Unit |
SupTyp |
Status |
Source |
|---|
| Terr |
D |
Wyoming & Five Mile |
Aug. 16, 1882 |
1730 |
26.41 |
CFS |
OS |
Adj |
Columbus Creek |
| Terr |
D |
Wyoming & Five Mile 2nd App |
Dec. 31, 1890 |
180 |
2.87 |
CFS |
OS |
Adj |
Columbus Creek |
| 5441 |
D |
Wagner (Enl. Wyoming & Five Mile) |
April 29, 1903 |
32 |
0.45 |
CFS |
Sec |
Adj |
Columbus Creek (397R) |
| 4423 |
E |
Enl. Wyoming & Five Mile |
Nov. 12, 1924 |
437.1 |
6.24 |
CFS |
OS |
Adj |
Columbus Creek |
Name
Source
District
Data |
Five Mile Ditch Diversion
Columbus Creek
5
Total monthly flow in AF |
| Water Year |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Total |
|---|
| 1970 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1971 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1972 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1973 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1974 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
341.43 |
0.00 |
341.43 |
| 1975 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1976 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1977 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1978 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1979 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1980 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1981 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
287.92 |
309.72 |
393.42 |
215.56 |
0.00 |
1206.62 |
| 1982 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1983 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1984 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1985 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1986 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1987 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1988 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1989 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
584.82 |
429.37 |
275.81 |
263.31 |
226.24 |
1779.55 |
| 1990 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
508.50 |
786.10 |
888.90 |
394.70 |
287.00 |
241.80 |
3107.00 |
| 1991 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
439.20 |
1087.60 |
887.10 |
446.30 |
303.50 |
288.30 |
3452.00 |
| 1992 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
358.90 |
673.70 |
609.00 |
695.50 |
381.90 |
291.70 |
3010.70 |
| 1993 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
329.50 |
1299.80 |
1127.00 |
765.30 |
466.10 |
349.80 |
4337.50 |
| 1994 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
817.20 |
1058.50 |
625.80 |
376.40 |
290.50 |
292.00 |
3460.40 |
| 1995 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
308.80 |
638.90 |
1360.20 |
782.00 |
400.90 |
316.40 |
3807.20 |
| 1996 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
417.50 |
1147.20 |
904.40 |
507.60 |
291.20 |
219.90 |
3487.80 |
| 1997 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
913.00 |
1118.20 |
535.90 |
386.90 |
280.30 |
3234.30 |
| 1998 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
1002.50 |
842.50 |
442.40 |
355.70 |
281.50 |
2924.60 |
| 1999 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
952.00 |
1018.00 |
514.00 |
323.00 |
267.00 |
3074.00 |
| Mean |
|
|
|
|
|
|
244.58 |
802.46 |
778.48 |
471.49 |
331.31 |
235.00 |
2863.32 |
| Max |
|
|
|
|
|
|
817.20 |
1299.80 |
1360.20 |
782.00 |
466.10 |
349.80 |
4337.50 |
| Min |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
215.56 |
0.00 |
341.43 |
Notes:
1. Monthly data is from Hydrographer's Annual Reports for years 1980 and later, and from
WRDS for years prior to 1980
2. Zero flow is assumed prior to the first and after the last measurement
3. Monthly data for 1981 is derived from spot measurements in the Hydrographers' Annual Reports.
Name
Source
District
Data |
Five Mile Ditch Diversion
Columbus Creek
5
First & Last Dates, Max. Days |
| Water Year |
First Date of Measurement |
Last Date of Measurement |
Maximum Days Missing |
|---|
| 1970 |
|
|
|
| 1971 |
|
|
|
| 1972 |
|
|
|
| 1973 |
|
|
|
| 1974 |
01-Aug |
31-Aug |
0 |
| 1975 |
|
|
|
| 1976 |
|
|
|
| 1977 |
|
|
|
| 1978 |
|
|
|
| 1979 |
|
|
|
| 1980 |
|
|
|
| 1981 |
04-May |
19-Aug |
33 |
| 1982 |
|
|
|
| 1983 |
|
|
|
| 1984 |
|
|
|
| 1985 |
|
|
|
| 1986 |
|
|
|
| 1987 |
|
|
|
| 1988 |
|
|
|
| 1989 |
11-May |
26-Sep |
0 |
| 1990 |
03-Apr |
30-Sep |
0 |
| 1991 |
01-Apr |
30-Sep |
0 |
| 1992 |
01-Apr |
30-Sep |
0 |
| 1993 |
07-Apr |
30-Sep |
0 |
| 1994 |
01-Apr |
30-Sep |
0 |
| 1995 |
01-Apr |
30-Sep |
0 |
| 1996 |
17-Apr |
30-Sep |
0 |
| 1997 |
07-May |
30-Sep |
0 |
| 1998 |
01-May |
30-Sep |
0 |
| 1999 |
06-May |
30-Sep |
0 |
| Avg. |
25-Apr |
24-Sep |
3 |
| Earliest |
01-Apr |
19-Aug |
0 |
| Latest |
01-Aug |
30-Sep |
33 |
Notes:
1. Data is from Hydrographer's Annual Reports for years 1980 and later,
and from WRDS for years prior to 1980.
|
