WSP09076

• File Number: 8443.300
• Description: Narrows Project - Legislation
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 8/1/1966
• Author: US DoI
• Title: Report on the Narrows Unit Colorado
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Plan of Development

Municipal and Industrial Water Supply

During the investigations of the unit, several communities down-
stream from the Narrows Dam site evidenced interest in a reservation
of water for future municipal and industrial needs. No firm commit-
ment was made. It appears that the communities have, or can readily
obtain, an ample supply from ground water for all foreseeable needs;
therefore, this possibility has not been incorporated as a function
of the plan of development. In the unlikely event of urgent need
for municipal and industrial water in addition to, or as a replace-
ment for, ground water the communities probably would have to acquire
irrigation water rights.

DEFERRED POTENTIALITIES

Following elimination of the Weld County Dam site in favor of the
Narrows site in September 1964, the Colorado Water Conservation
Board requested that studies of the Narrows Unit be expedited., The
BOard further requested that the Narrows Unit studies be expanded
to include: (A) a pump unit on the South Platte River near Sterling,
Colo., for the purpose of increasing the project water supply, and
(B) a pump unit or units near or adjacent to the Narrows Reservoir,
for the purpose of supplying additional irrigation water to either
the Riverside or Bijou Irrigation Districts) or both, if such pump-
ing can be economically justified. Later, the Board also requested
studies on a well field or pump lift to provide supplemental water
to ditch systems in the Julesburg area.

Because the floods of June 1965 renewed interest in the control
of floods from Bijou Creek) a potential channel for diverting Bijou
Creek into the Narrows Reservoir was also studied.

These additional potentialities were studied to reconnaissance
standards. None of them are recommended for inclusion as components
of the Narrows Unit. Rather, they are considered as distinctly
separable segments that should be justified separately and are subject
to other possible means of financing. A brief description of each
potentiality follows.

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