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Powder/Tongue River Basin Water Plan
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| SUBJECT: |
Appendix A
Irrigation Diversion Operation and Description
WOLF CREEK
|
|
| PREPARED BY: |
HKM Engineering Inc. |
|
| DATE: |
March 2002 |
WOLF CREEK
GARRARD DITCH DIVERSION
GRINNELL DITCH DIVERSION ON WOLF CREEK
WOLF CREEK DRAINAGE
INTRODUCTION
BIG PICTURE
Wolf Creek flows out of the east slope of the Bighorn Mountains, between the tributaries of the Big
Goose and the Tongue before joining the Tongue in Ranchester. The Tongue flows east out of Ranchester
until it turns northeast near Acme, Wyoming, to cross the Montana state line approximately seven miles.
Once in Montana, the Tongue runs into the Tongue River Reservoir. Wolf Creek has no storage of any
significance to draw upon.
CHARACTERISTICS
Wolf Creek works its way through a predominance of cobble and gravel bars from old river channels,
driving up its instream losses.
USAGE
Wolf Creek’s diversions are devoted almost entirely to agricultural irrigation.
Regulation
Water commissioners estimate that regulation is imposed on Clear Creek drainage diversions with the
following timing:
| Wet Year |
Average Year |
Dry Year |
|---|
| None or last of August |
2nd week of July |
1st week of July |
Agriculture
Growers in the Wolf Creek drainage tend to devote approximately 45 percent of their lands to alfalfa, 35
percent to grass hay, 5 percent grain, and 15 percent corn. Typically, they rotate the alfalfa/grass crop
with wheat or oats for a single year to replenish their soils. They tend to use 50 percent ditch-flood
irrigation and 50 percent sprinkler irrigation.
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 Wolf Creek 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 Wolf Creek, this practice is limited primarily by the condition of ditches. No diversions on Wolf Creek
can divert more than their 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: |
GARRARD DITCH DIVERSION |
| Date |
12 Sep. 2000 |
| Note: |
The Garrard has a right for more than 10 cfs; it diverts approximately
half of that. |
Garrard Ditch headgate. |
| Diversion Description: |
Headgate consists of a single, 5.7 x 2-foot rectangular wooden gate in
steel slider operated by a Waterman-type screw mounted in a concrete
headwall. |
| Diversion Location: |
The Garrard Ditch diversion is located on the main stem of Wolf Creek
downstream from the community of Wolf. |
|
| Headgate: |
| Lat. |
Long. |
| N 44° 47' 22.9'' |
W 107° 13' 6.2'' |
|
| Conveyance Description: |
Open channel canal, approximately 2.3 mi. long with two siphons under
creek crossings. |
| Direct Flow Water Rights: |
The summary of direct flow rights follows: |
|
| Permit |
Priority Date |
Permitted Use |
Acres |
Flow (cfs) |
Cumulative (cfs) |
|---|
| Terr. |
04-00-1883 |
I |
750 |
10.71 |
10.71 |
| 7204E |
11-05-1997 |
S |
|
0.05 |
10.76 |
|
| Associated Storage Rights: |
None |
| Agricultural Practices: |
See introduction to Wolf Creek drainage |
| Irrigation Practices: |
See introduction to Wolf Creek drainage |
| Return Flows: |
Estimated percentage of total diversion developing into return flows: |
|
| Destination |
Wet yr. |
Mid yr. |
Dry yr. |
| Wolf Creek |
10 |
7 |
5 |
|
| Losses: |
Typical (10 percent) by the end of the ditch |
| References: |
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 |
Gerrard |
April 30, 1883 |
750 |
10.71 |
CFS |
OS |
Adj |
Wolf Creek |
Name
Source
District
Data |
Garrard Ditch Diversion
Wolf 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 |
153.92 |
374.56 |
0.00 |
528.48 |
| 1975 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1976 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1977 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1978 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1979 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1980 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1981 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
543.06 |
1034.82 |
1037.38 |
489.23 |
257.19 |
3361.68 |
| 1982 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
377.30 |
1006.81 |
817.81 |
484.09 |
269.32 |
2955.33 |
| 1983 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
476.96 |
448.89 |
238.13 |
1163.98 |
| 1984 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
323.52 |
572.01 |
596.23 |
515.90 |
117.44 |
2125.10 |
| 1985 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
314.94 |
578.65 |
524.42 |
399.40 |
59.45 |
1876.86 |
| 1986 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
387.28 |
611.49 |
508.38 |
266.52 |
209.26 |
1982.93 |
| 1987 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
320.53 |
580.96 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
901.49 |
| 1988 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
389.87 |
809.82 |
380.12 |
96.10 |
0.00 |
1675.91 |
| 1989 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1990 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
238.65 |
285.98 |
553.69 |
302.05 |
186.74 |
1567.11 |
| 1991 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
192.84 |
60.13 |
252.97 |
| 1992 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
469.61 |
342.78 |
190.18 |
375.89 |
453.55 |
1832.01 |
| 1993 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
99.91 |
896.68 |
559.69 |
528.46 |
238.78 |
177.42 |
2500.94 |
| 1994 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
517.81 |
414.99 |
358.38 |
121.51 |
100.55 |
1513.24 |
| 1995 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
52.37 |
199.64 |
277.44 |
185.58 |
2.98 |
718.01 |
| 1996 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
0.00 |
184.31 |
148.63 |
33.71 |
25.54 |
392.19 |
| 1997 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
376.19 |
579.44 |
255.10 |
149.27 |
77.82 |
1437.82 |
| 1998 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
584.56 |
365.23 |
224.07 |
137.28 |
60.19 |
1371.33 |
| 1999 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
0.00 |
326.48 |
224.50 |
78.08 |
29.65 |
658.71 |
| Mean |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.26 |
304.86 |
444.90 |
381.88 |
257.35 |
122.39 |
1516.64 |
| Max |
|
|
|
|
|
|
99.91 |
896.68 |
1034.82 |
1037.38 |
515.90 |
453.55 |
3361.68 |
| Min |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
252.97 |
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
Name
Source
District
Data |
Garrard Ditch Diversion
Wolf 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 |
24-Jul |
31-Aug |
0 |
| 1975 |
|
|
|
| 1976 |
|
|
|
| 1977 |
|
|
|
| 1978 |
|
|
|
| 1979 |
|
|
|
| 1980 |
|
|
|
| 1981 |
09-May |
21-Sep |
24 |
| 1982 |
18-May |
22-Sep |
20 |
| 1983 |
07-Jul |
23-Sep |
13 |
| 1984 |
15-May |
11-Sep |
18 |
| 1985 |
15-May |
10-Sep |
17 |
| 1986 |
14-May |
13-Sep |
17 |
| 1987 |
16-May |
29-Jun |
13 |
| 1988 |
18-May |
19-Aug |
36 |
| 1989 |
|
|
|
| 1990 |
16-May |
13-Sep |
20 |
| 1991 |
12-Aug |
12-Sep |
8 |
| 1992 |
07-May |
29-Sep |
50 |
| 1993 |
22-Apr |
29-Sep |
21 |
| 1994 |
02-May |
30-Sep |
27 |
| 1995 |
24-May |
01-Sep |
29 |
| 1996 |
13-Jun |
30-Sep |
27 |
| 1997 |
08-May |
26-Sep |
8 |
| 1998 |
04-May |
23-Sep |
14 |
| 1999 |
04-Jun |
10-Sep |
12 |
| Avg |
26-May |
12-Sep |
20 |
| Earliest |
22-Apr |
29-Jun |
0 |
| Latest |
12-Aug |
30-Sep |
50 |
Notes:
1. Data is from Hydrographer's Annual Reports for years 1980 and later,
and from WRDS for years prior to 1980.
KEY DIVERSIONS
| Diversion: |
GRINNELL DITCH DIVERSION ON WOLF CREEK
AKA: Grinnell Livestock Co (on Wolf Creek), Grinnell & Stewart |
| Date |
12 Sep. 2000 |
| Note: |
The Grinnell’s direct-flow rights were transferred from Big Goose to the
Wolf on 9/13/2000 to allow the owners to tap their supplementary rights
in Big Goose Creek. Because of the fractured limestone and gravel in its
path and the length and low slope of its channel, this ditch tends to have
large instream losses. Water commissioners report that the condition of
the headgate and rights have reduced the diversion to approximately 3
cfs. |
Grinnell Ditch headgate |
| Diversion Description: |
Headgate consists of a single, 4.5 x 3.5-foot rectangular steel gate in steel
slider raised/lowered by a Waterman-type screw mounted in concrete
headwall. |
| Diversion Location: |
The Grinnell Ditch diversion is located on the main stem of Wolf Creek
just downstream from the community of Wolf. |
|
| Headgate: |
| Lat. |
Long. |
| N 44° 46' 24.4'' |
W 107° 13' 55.5'' |
|
| Conveyance Description: |
Open channel canal, approximately 4.8 mi. long. |
| Direct Flow Water Rights: |
The summary of direct-flow rights on Wolf Creek follows: |
|
| Permit |
Priority Date |
Permitted Use |
Acres |
Flow (cfs) |
Cumulative (cfs) |
|---|
| Terr. |
09-11-1884 |
I |
1666 |
23.8 |
23.8 |
| 7182E |
09-04-1996 |
I, Res Supply |
427 |
6.1 |
29.9 |
|
| Associated Storage Rights: |
None |
| Agricultural Practices: |
See introduction to Wolf Creek drainage |
| Irrigation Practices: |
See introduction to Wolf Creek drainage |
| Return Flows: |
Estimated percentage of total diversion developing into return flows: |
|
| Destination |
Wet yr. |
Mid yr. |
Dry yr. |
| Wolf Creek |
20 |
15 |
10 |
|
| Losses: |
Approximately 50 percent by the end of the ditch |
| References: |
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 |
Grinnell Live Stock Co's |
Sep. 11, 1884 |
3000 |
42.86 |
CFS |
OS |
Adj |
Wolf Creek |
| Terr |
D |
Grinnell Live Stock Co. |
Sep. 11, 1884 |
3000 |
42.86 |
CFS |
OS |
Adj |
Wolf Creek |
| Terr |
D |
Stewart (Grinnell Live Stock Co.) |
Dec. 10, 1884 |
915 |
13.07 |
CFS |
OS |
Adj |
Wolf Creek |
| Terr |
D |
Stewart (Grinnell Live Stock Co.) |
Dec. 10, 1884 |
915 |
13.07 |
CFS |
OS |
Adj |
Wolf Creek |
| 275 |
E |
Enl. Stewart (Grinnell Live Stock Co.) |
May 28, 1897 |
104 |
1.48 |
CFS |
OS |
Adj |
Wolf Creek |
| 7182 |
E |
Enl. Grinnell Livestock Company |
Sep. 4, 1996 |
427 |
6.1 |
CFS |
OS |
Adj |
Wolf Creek |
Name
Source
District
Data |
Grinnell Ditch Diversion
Wolf 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 |
151.72 |
78.21 |
0.00 |
229.93 |
| 1975 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1976 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1977 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1978 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1979 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1980 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1981 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
151.62 |
738.75 |
502.29 |
142.70 |
10.34 |
1545.70 |
| 1982 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
87.07 |
331.44 |
375.13 |
164.96 |
114.76 |
1073.36 |
| 1983 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
0.00 |
311.48 |
97.91 |
0.00 |
409.39 |
| 1984 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
120.20 |
271.61 |
100.49 |
42.00 |
530.30 |
| 1985 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
148.41 |
365.01 |
104.73 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
618.15 |
| 1986 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
292.59 |
420.59 |
265.93 |
12.56 |
0.00 |
991.67 |
| 1987 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
181.98 |
403.90 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
585.88 |
| 1988 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
316.26 |
609.17 |
99.65 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
1025.08 |
| 1989 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1990 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
0.00 |
147.75 |
310.80 |
0.00 |
458.55 |
| 1991 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1992 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
49.59 |
307.31 |
320.29 |
165.79 |
842.98 |
| 1993 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
635.21 |
780.44 |
679.00 |
682.02 |
46.61 |
2823.28 |
| 1994 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
319.88 |
1055.26 |
700.11 |
208.57 |
0.00 |
2283.82 |
| 1995 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
795.57 |
355.46 |
59.66 |
108.99 |
1319.68 |
| 1996 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
30.35 |
140.05 |
170.44 |
118.29 |
459.13 |
| 1997 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
369.40 |
676.71 |
214.25 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
1260.36 |
| 1998 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
541.88 |
920.65 |
872.22 |
845.16 |
170.49 |
3350.40 |
| 1999 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
728.33 |
371.66 |
233.30 |
32.13 |
1365.42 |
| Mean |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
169.13 |
445.89 |
325.91 |
190.39 |
44.97 |
1176.28 |
| Max |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
635.21 |
1055.26 |
872.22 |
845.16 |
170.49 |
3350.40 |
| Min |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
229.93 |
Notes:
1. Monthly data is from spot measurements in the 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
Name
Source
District
Data |
Grinnell Ditch Diversion
Wolf 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 |
03-Jul |
31-Aug |
0 |
| 1975 |
|
|
|
| 1976 |
|
|
|
| 1977 |
|
|
|
| 1978 |
|
|
|
| 1979 |
|
|
|
| 1980 |
|
|
|
| 1981 |
25-May |
02-Sep |
24 |
| 1982 |
27-May |
22-Sep |
43 |
| 1983 |
07-Jul |
17-Aug |
13 |
| 1984 |
19-Jun |
11-Sep |
24 |
| 1985 |
22-May |
15-Jul |
12 |
| 1986 |
14-May |
02-Aug |
17 |
| 1987 |
16-May |
29-Jun |
13 |
| 1988 |
17-May |
09-Jul |
37 |
| 1989 |
|
|
|
| 1990 |
27-Jul |
15-Aug |
7 |
| 1991 |
|
|
|
| 1992 |
26-Jun |
29-Sep |
34 |
| 1993 |
10-May |
08-Sep |
24 |
| 1994 |
24-May |
18-Aug |
19 |
| 1995 |
01-Jun |
29-Sep |
38 |
| 1996 |
13-Jun |
30-Sep |
27 |
| 1997 |
15-May |
14-Jul |
7 |
| 1998 |
04-May |
23-Sep |
16 |
| 1999 |
04-Jun |
10-Sep |
10 |
| Avg |
03-Jun |
24-Aug |
20 |
| Earliest |
04-May |
29-Jun |
0 |
| Latest |
27-Jul |
30-Sep |
43 |
Notes:
1. Data is from Hydrographer's Annual Reports for years 1980 and later,
and from WRDS for years prior to 1980.
|
