WATER USE IN THE STREAM
COMPARISON CHART
Jo Evans
Instream Flow, In-Channel diversion, Recreational In-Channel Diversion
(ISF, ICD, RICD)
Instream flow (ISF)
- A Colorado water right held by the state on behalf of all the people of Colorado.
- Purpose: To preserve or improve the environment to a reasonable degree by allowing specified quantity of water to flow between 2 named points.
- Created by state law in1973
- ISF is the only Colorado water right that does not require diversion.
The water is not controlled by any physical structure. |
In-channel diversion (ICD)
A Colorado water right to use water without taking it out of the stream channel.
Purpose: use specified in the decree.
A hydropower plant would be an example of a diversion where a structure or structures controls a use of water in the stream channel. |
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Recreational In-channel diversion (RICD)
A Colorado water right where a structure controls water in the stream channel
Purpose: Strictly for recreational use
Legislature has imposed specific limitations. (Currently a battleground issue)
Only governments may obtain an RICD |
See also Bypass Flow (permit condition by federal land manager).
Key terms
Water right: a right to use water
Diversion: a structure that either takes water out of a stream or controls the flow in the stream for beneficial use.