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<br />N <br />00 <br />c: <br /> <br />c <br /> <br />Relationship of the Smi th Fork Project to National Forest Lands <br /> <br />The Smith Fork project will not impair any existing facility or service <br />on nati onal forest lands. <br /> <br />Relationship of Watershed Conditions to the Smith Fork Project <br /> <br />Watershed conditions affecting this project are those common to most <br />western irrigation projects. Th~ do not materially affect feasibility <br />of the porject. However, improvement of watershed conditions will extend <br />the life of the project and reduce operating difficulties and maintenance <br />expenses. <br /> <br />The watershed area that affects the Smi th Fork project includes the drainage s <br />of the 9ni th Fork River, Allen Gulch and Cottonwood Creek. Upper lands <br />generally have fai r to good vege tati ve cover while lower lying lands have <br />fair to poor plant cover conditions. Erosion and sediment production is <br />greater on the lower lands. Land ownership is 55 percent private and 45 <br />percent federal. The Gould Reservoir on Iron Creek, about 4 miles above <br />the proposed Crawford Reservoir site, tends to decrease flood peaks and <br />sediment damage on the Iron Creek drainage. Watershed condi tions do not <br />pose a flood threat to the project, but do permit excessive amounts of <br />sediment to be produced. Bureau of Reclamation plans for the proposed <br />Crawford Reservoir provide for storage of the anticipated sediment. The <br />appli cation of land treatment measures and improved range management should <br />be undertaken on problem areas where erosion is active. This will reduce <br />the amount of sediment produced and prolong the useful life of the reservoir <br />and the project. This treatment can be done under authori ty of regular <br />programs. The construction of large flood control structures is not <br />re commended. <br /> <br />iv <br />