IWMP Education Resources
This page was developed to be a resource for water users on water issues, facts, and law. This resource page is only intended to be a stating point. Please use links in the page to follow up with additional information.
Water Law
Water is a public resource governed by water law that governs the allocation of a public resource for beneficial use, with in the prior appropriation systems, better known as “first in time, first in right”.
Yampa-White-Green Basin Roundtable Water Law Fact Sheet
Division of Water Resources
Division of Water Resources (DWR) is a division of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and is the division that administers water rights, issues water well permits, represents Colorado in Interstate water compact proceedings, monitors streamflow and water use, approves construction and repair of dams and preforms dam safety inspections.
Division 6:
Division 6 administers all water resources of the Yampa, White, Green and North Platt River Basins.
Division 6 has published a pamphlet to better define what is acceptable to the Division for control and measuring water use as well as some suggestion when installing structures.
Functional Standards for Measuring Devices
When a Call is placed on the river the Administration Number is used to figure out your priority on the river. Division 1 has developed a publication on how your Administration Number is computed.
Administration Guideline/Number
DWR has an online tool to look up Water Rights, Structures, and records of use, “Colorado Decision Support System”. Please use this tool to review your Structures, Water Rights and historical records.
Agriculture Resources/Organizations
Colorado Ag Water Alliance:
The Colorado Ag Water Alliance (CAWA) is comprised of agricultural leaders from across Colorado committed to the preservation of agriculture through the wise use of Colorado’s water resources. Members represent major facets of production agriculture, as well as partner organizations such as the Colorado Water Institute, Colorado State University, Colorado Department of Agriculture, and the Colorado Water Conservation Board. This organization has information on Stream Management Planning, Water Quality and Dredging.
Ag Water Network
Ag water network was created in 2015 by the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and the Partners for Western Conservation to help keep agricultural water connected with agricultural land. This site has a Water Lease Tool and other educational resources on Ag water.
Recreation
Friends of the Yampa
Friends of the Yampa mission is to protect and enhance the environmental and recreational integrity of the Yampa River and its tributaries, through stewardship, advocacy, education and partnerships. The website has Yampa River Facts and river sections description.
Water Planning and Stream Management
Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB)
The CWCB mission is to conserve, develop, protect and manage Colorado’s water for present and future generations. This board is Colorado’s most comprehensive water information resource. The agency works on a broad range of programs and provides technical and financial assistance to support the Colorado Water Plan.
Stream Management Plan Resource Library
Resource on what a Stream Management Plans are and what other plans are like is different parts of the State.
Stream Management Plan Resource Library