WSP08737

• File Number: 8443.600
• Description: Narrows Unit - Studies
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 10/1/1963
• Author: Water Development Co
• Title: Review of Site Selection Criteria Narrows and Weld County Project
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

I

I

I

Ground and aerial reconnaissance clearly show that there is a

major difference in the development and land use in the two reservoir areas.

I

This degree of development would appear to justify a substantial difference

I

in right-of-way costs in favor of the Weld County Site. Based on data

furnished by the Assessors of Weld and Morgan counties, the following com-

I

parison may be made:

Narrows

Weld County

I

Total Area Inundated

2l,787 acres

23,089 acres

I

Assessed Valuation of inundated
areas

$709,940

$230,010

Families in Area

l72

29

I

We have been informed that the assessments in the two counties

I

are based on approximately the same criteria. It would appear that the

ratio of right-of-way costs for the two projects should be approximately

I

proportional to the ratio, of assessed valuations; i.e. 709,940 + 230,010

or approximately 3 times greater for Narrows, instead of Weld County being

slightly higher than Narrows as estimated by the USBR. Also, it appears

that estimates for railroad and highway right-of-way might be subject to

re-evaluation, since length of relocations is greater for the Narrows Site,

and the relocations would traverse more highly developed lands.

b. Hydrology

Flood hydrology for the Projects was reviewed and discussed with

the USBR engineers. It is our opinion that the design floods and spillway

capacities are reasonable.

c. Project Benefits

The USBR Site Selection Report of September 1961, included benefit-

cost studies for the Narrows and Weld County projects. In the discussion of

-5-