(1) The department will use the following standards for period of diversion and use based on the purpose of beneficial water use:

(a) domestic                                                                                        January 1 to December 31

(b) stock                                                                                               January 1 to December 31

(c) irrigation based on the climatic area designated by the USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) which is generally as follows:

(i) climatic area I                                                                           March 15 to November 15

(ii) climatic area II                                                                         April 1 to October 31

(iii) climatic area III                                                                       April 15 to October 15

(iv) climatic area IV                                                                      April 20 to October 10

(v) climatic area V                                                                        April 25 to October 5

(vi) climatic area VI                                                                      April 25 to October 5 

(2) Applications for diversions into a storage reservoir for later use must include the period of diversion for when water will be diverted into the reservoir and the period of use when water will be used from the reservoir.

(3) Period of use for purposes other than domestic, stock, or irrigation must be explained and documented based on the operation of the project.

(4)  Deviations from the period of use standards listed in (1) must be explained and documented based on the operation of the project.