WSP09389

• File Number: 8111
• Description: Arkansas River Compact Administration
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 9/21/2001
• Author: Corps of Engineers
• Title: Finding-No Significant Impact - Final EIS - John Martin Dam-Reservoir Project - Lease Agreement-Transfer Management of Recreation Areas-Surface Water - Corps of Engineers to CO State Parks
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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003168

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND AND LOCATION

The John Martin Dam and Reservoir Project (John Martin Project) is located on the
Arkansas River in Bent County, Colorado (Figures I and 2). John Martin Dam is located near
the communities of Caddoa and Hasty, and is approximately 15 river-miles downstream of Las
Animas, Colorado, 18 river-miles upstream from Lamar, Colorado, and 58 river-miles upstream
from the Colorado-Kansas state line. The John Martin Project is accessible via U.S. Highway 50
and is located 2 miles south of Hasty. In southeastern Colorado, the Arkansas River flows from
west to east

John Martin Dam and Reservoir was authorized by Congress in the Flood Control Act of
1936 (Public Law 74-738) as amended by the Flood Control Act of 1938 (Public Law 75-761)
and was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). Originally entitled "Caddoa
Dam and Reservoir", the project name was changed by an act of Congress (Public Law 76-667)
to honor John A. Martin, the late Congressman from Colorado. The original project legislation
authorized John Martin Dam and Reservoir to be operated for flood control and conservation
storage of irrigation supply. The Flood Control Act of 1965 (Public Law 89-298) further
authorized the establishment of a peffilanent pool not to exceed 10,000 acre-feet for fish and
wildlife and recreational purposes. The John Martin Dam and Reservoir Project is operated and
maintained by the Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District.

Construction at John Martin Dam began in 1939 with the relocation of approximately 20
miles of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway tracks. Dam construction began in August
1940, but work was suspended in the spring of 1943 due to World War 11. Construction resumed
in the spring of 1946 and the project was completed in October 1948.

The John Martin Dam and Reservoir Project encompasses a total of 25,624 fee-land acres
with an additional 4,976 acres leased for flood easement. The Corps has designated four
recreation areas at the Project: the Lake Hasty Recreation Area below (downstream) of the dam
(270 acres), the Sandstone and Overlook Recreation Areas upstream of the dam and along the
north shore (700 and 418 acres, respectively), and the Bent County Recreation Area (275 acres)
at the upstream end of the reservoir near Las Animas (Figure 2). The dam structure and
maintenance areas near the dam are off-limits to the public, although the Corps does give guided
tours of the dam on request The Corps administration office includes a visitor center with
interpretative displays. Many of the Project's facilities meet the Unifoffil Federal Accessibility
Standards. Currently, the only fees charged by the Corps for public recreational use at the Project
include those for: overnight camping at the Lake Hasty Campground, rental of the 3 group
shelters located in the Lake Hasty Recreation Area as described below, and for boat launching at
the 2 boat ramps at the Sandstone Recreation Area.

The Lake Hasty Recreation Area includes the Lake Hasty Campground, three day-use
picnic areas, three groups shelters known as the East, West and Cottonwood (Girl Scout House)