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48 3741 RUEDl DAM AND RESERVOIR, COLO. estimated in this report: Factors that could affect tJ~e "a.ter require- ments include changes In plans, lITIgable acreages, dIversIOn r.eqUIre- ments, and amounts and patterns of.occ~rrence of return flo'9t: Alt,hOllO'h the requirements for irrIgatIOn "'ater may be subject to suhstauti:l modifications, it appears that it can be reasonably con- eluded fit this time that Ruedi Reservoir could provide an adequate water supply for the lands considered for irrigation development, and such use would constitute a possible alternate to that of supplyin.g municipal and industrial needs, Therefore, careful study of tins alternate is warranted to establish its desirability based on factors of economy, time of need, and availability of "ateI' sources for the competitive uses. Fu tU7'e i-n,vest-igations Any future investigations by the Bure,au of Reclamation of irriga- tion service from Ruedi Reservoir to the lands discussed herein should be of " scope adequate to firmly esttlblish feasibility of development, Detailed land cltlssification sun'eys should be made to supplement the available reconnaissance infori-nation and more accurately deter- mine the quality and e"tent of the lands and their suitability for irrigation development. Additional streamflow records and climato- logical data should be obtained to evaluate "ater supplies, water requirements, and capacities required for water conveyance and dis- tribution facilities. Plan formulation studies wo~I1d be required to properly determine lHnds which could be economically served in conjunction with construction featm"es necessary for such se.rvice. Field surveys, ge,ologieal eXj'lorations, and detailed designs and eon- st.ruction cost estimates WOll d be, reC{ulred for nIl features. Est.imates should also be made of the costs of operatin~ and maintaining the required irrigation features. Existing and antlCipated future farming operations, crop yields, expenses, and markets should be analyzed to det-.ermine the payment ftbllity of the water users and to deri,'e esti- mutes of Lenefits for comparison with costs of development. Com- pnl'able studies should nlso be mnde of companion and alternative uses of irrigable lands and water from Rlledi Reseryoir to determine the proper and most economical cuurse of development. POWER ALTERN A TlVE Preliminary considel'tltion has been given to llydroeJectric powe.r develupment at Ruedi Dam. Power generation, however, would be of limited amount ev{',n though all resen'oir releases wete patterned to attain maximum output. Available head would range from a minimum of 136 feet to a maximmn of 2G3 feet. 'Under most fa.vorable circumstances, average a.11l111al ge.neration would n.mowlt to about 19 million kilowatt-hours with an installed plnnt capacity of about 4,300 ki 10"att8, In nllY cnse the use of water for power wf)!Jld be subol'l..Jinnte. to a higher ueneficial use such as municipal and industrial water or irriga- tion in any ultimate operating plan that future detailed investigations indicate. Also, it is apparent t,hat "fterb"}' re{;'lIlation "ould be essential for the generation of an optimulll degree of firm power. These stunies indicatc that the., feasihility of power woultl be mar- ginal e'Vell under the most favorable circumstances.