WSP09882

• File Number: 8410.300
• Description: Platte River Basin - Basin Multistate Organizations - Missouri Basin States Association
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 6/22/1961
• Author: Corps of Engineers
• Title: Mid-Year Review for 1961 - Missouri River Project Operations - Corps of Engineers - Missouri River Division
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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an artery for rapidly expanding navigation

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tion, bank stabilization and

on the Missouri River, greatly expanded hydro power generation, low-now

regulation for "rater supply and streml'1 sanitation, and numerous attendant

benefits including recreation opportunities which are attracting millions

of people, and fish and wildlife conservation.

In the current interim period of' construction of the over-all Basin

program, which is about half completed, and with two major reservoirs on the

main stem still under construction, it is obvious that the full multiple-

purpose public service envisioned in the completed prograra cannot be provided

at this stage.

There is a further limiting factor at this time to furnishing maximum

desirable public service from this incom;pleted system. This factor is the

unfortuna.te fact that for eight consecutive years the water nmoff from the

upper Basin into the main stem reservoir system has been materially sub-

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normal~ Thus, a succession of dry years in the upper Basin has slowed up

the filling of the reservoirs to planned operating levels.

The water supply situation is a sim;ple and direct result of generally

deficient precipitation over the upper half of the Missouri Basin, as clearly

shown by Weather Bureau records.

Resultant runoff into the Missouri River

has amounted to slightly less than 80 percent of normal or average in the

last eight years since new storage capacity has become available progress-

i vely for use.

Notwithstanding this untimely water shortage, public services being

rendered by the reservoir system are increasing substantialJ.y year-by-year.

At the same time, the Corps of Engineers and cooperating Federal and State

agencies have not lost sight of the desirability of building l.W reservoir

storage as rapidly as possible, consistent with putting these new facilities

to work for the useful current services intended.

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