Critical flow forecasting for irrigation requirements in the Sevier River Basin, Utah

A forecasting scheme is developed to satisfy the water rights problems existing along the Sevier River, Utah. When the river reaches its peak flow, the primary water rights are satisfied. As the streamflow gradually decreases the problem of satisfying the decreed water rights becomes more acute. The proposed forecasting will point out these deficiencies ahead of time so that rotation of irrigation demands can satisfy the demands. A percentage of the primary water rights are delivered so that all users receive their just portion of the available water. Because good records are available for most of the Sevier River, it has been possible to develop these forecasts within reasonable accuracy. In some cases, better diversion records and more streamflow records would have been helpful.