RESERVOIRS

Rule 10(a). Identifying reservoirs. When stored water is claimed, the legal land description of the impoundment structure, onstream and offstream designation, and the period of diversion will be identified. When available, the following reservoir data will be included: (1) dam height; (2) surface area; 26 (3) reservoir depth; (4) maximum reservoir storage capacity; and (5) reservoir name. Rule 10(b). Reservoir data. The information in the claim along with other data gathered by the department will be used to check the reservoir designation. (1) The legal land description will be identified to the nearest reasonable and concise legal land description. (2) When a reservoir is claimed, the claimant will be contacted pursuant to Rule 44, W.R.C.E.R., to determine the period of diversion. (3) When the claimed volume is greater than 15 acre-feet and less than 50 acre-feet, and data are not sufficient to identify the size of the reservoir, the claimant may be contacted pursuant to Rule 44, W.R.C.E.R., or the size of the reservoir may be estimated by the department. (4) When the claimed volume is greater than 50 acre-feet, the claimant will be contacted pursuant to Rule 44, W.R.C.E.R. A questionnaire may be sent to the claimant. In addition, an on-site visit may be conducted pursuant to Rule 44, W.R.C.E.R. Information to be obtained may include: (i) dam height; (ii) surface area; (iii) reservoir depth; 27 (iv) maximum reservoir storage capacity; (v) date constructed; (vi) period of diversion into storage; (vii) period of use from storage; (viii) volume of use per year; (ix) carry-over storage; and (x) number of fills per year. Rule 10(c). Flow rate guidelines. The flow rate guidelines for claims involving reservoirs are found in the respective flow rate rule of the irrigation, domestic, stock, and other uses chapters. Rule 10(d). Volume guidelines. The volume guidelines for uses involving reservoirs are found in the respective volume rule of the irrigation, domestic, stock, and other uses chapters. Rule 10(e). Summary report. In the summary report to the water court, the department shall provide on each abstract the following data and facts concerning reservoirs including: (1) a notation of the reservoir as onstream or offstream; (2) the legal land description of the impoundment structure; (3) additional legal land descriptions identified by the department such as government lots, subdivisions, certificates of survey, homestead entry surveys, and mineral surveys; (4) the period of diversion; 28 (5) the dam height, the surface area, reservoir depth, and reservoir name, when available; (6) identification of unique aspects or features of the reservoir; (7) a notation of changes made during the department examination; and (8) remarks concerning unresolved issues or questions about the claimed reservoir such as the following situations: (i) existence of the reservoir is unconfirmed; or (ii) maximum claimed storage capacity differs from department estimates.