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

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the economic analysis, page 13 it is stated that the analysis "omits any

evaluation of losses or costs arising from inundation of prqductive reser-

voir lands, although construction cost estimates do include amounts for

aquisition of rights-of-way", We understand that the annual gross produc-

tion of lands that would be submerged in the Narrows project is approximately

$3,000,000. Since it appears that the gross production of the Weld County
reservoir lands is considerably less, it is our opinion that evaluation of

the losses or costs arising from inundation of these lands should be in-

cluded in any comparison as this might have a great effect on the project

benefits.
d. Location of Weld County Damsite

Mr. Osborne of the Water Development Committee has investigated

the possibility of locating the Weld County Dam about l.4 miles downstream

from the site selected by the USBR engineers. It appears that such a

location would have the advantage of reducing the reservoir right-of-way

costs since less valuable lands would be inundated. Construction costs

for the dam, spillway and outlets would probably be about the same as for

the USBR Weld County site, We suggest that this lower site should receive
further consideration.

Conclusions

Our review of site selection criteria for the Narrows and Weld

County Projects indicates that additional studies are probably required to

fully evaluate the benefits and costs of each project.

The USER benefit-cost studies indicate that both projects are

feasible but that the Narrows project has a more favorable benefit-cost ratio.

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