upalco unit replacement project project area project summary project features crystal ranch reservoir big sand wash reservoir runoff vs. demand

crystal ranch reservoir Under the operating agreement now being drafted, the Crystal Ranch Reservoir (graphic) would store water under the Bureau of Reclamation 1964 storage right with 50% of the project water storage space allocated to Tribal use and 50% allocated to non-Tribal use. All flows of the Yellowstone River not required for direct irrigation or storage under prior water rights during the irrigation season will be stored with 50% in the Tribal pool and 50% in the non-Tribal pool. Combined diversions for storage and irrigation will be limited to one cubic foot per second (cfs) per 70 acres of irrigated land. High Mountain Lakes Storage is designed to replace storage that will be lost when ten high mountain lakes currently being used for storage are modified to maintain a constant water surface and enhance the aesthetic and recreational values of the High Uintas Wilderness. Except in times of extreme shortage, minimum instream flows would be provided in the Yellowstone and Lake Fork Rivers between the Crystal Ranch Dam and and Big Sand Wash Feeder Pipeline Diversion. Flows released from Crystal Ranch Reservoir during the non-irrigation season would be stored in Big Sand Wash Reservoir for later irrigation use. Under project operation, when Moon Lake Reservoir spills, the Moon Lake Water Users Association may deliver the amount spilled, up to a maximum of 2,000 acre-feet to Twin Pots Reservoir and exchange the water for a like amount stored in Tribal storage in Crystal Ranch Reservoir.