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<br />II. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS <br /> <br />Summary <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />1. The Dallas Creek Project is a multiple-purpose project of the <br />Bureau of Reclamation. It provides for the interception of <br />flows in the upper Uncompahgre River Basin for supplemental <br />and full service irrigation of lands located primarily in <br />Ouray County, Colorado. Under provision of the 1958 Water <br />Supply Act the Tri-County Water Conservancy District has <br />requested storage for net delivery of 15,000 acre-feet of <br />water in the Ridgway Reservoir for municipal and industrial <br />use. <br /> <br />2. The economy of the study area is basically oriented to <br />agriculture. The population remained essentially constant <br />from 1940 to 1960. However, population trends from 1960 to <br />the present have been upward, primarily in the urban areas. <br /> <br />3. Uncompahgre River water is used primarily for irrigation. <br />Other minor uses include livestock water and limited fishing. <br /> <br />4. A water quality problem exists in the headwaters of the <br />Uncompahgre River as a result of acid mine drainage. The <br />acid causes the dissolution of heavy metals which has adverse. <br />effects on the biological life in Red Mountain Creek and <br />downstream to the proposed Ridgwa,. dam site. <br /> <br />5. A water quality problem exists in the lower reaches of the <br />Uncompahgre River as a result of saline irrigation return <br />flows from the Uncompahgre Project. <br /> <br />6. This report presents a preliminary examination of present <br />and future development and water use patterns in the study <br />area. These data, therefore, are intended to serve as a <br />guide to future resource development. As the results of <br />more detailed studies for the area and region become avail- <br />able, modifications may become necessary. <br /> <br />C onc Ius ions <br /> <br />1. The resource base of the study area constitutes a potential <br />for future economic growth. <br /> <br />2. Population in the Dallas Creek study area is expected to <br />increase from 11,250 in 1960 to 23,400 by 1985, and 40,900 <br />by 2060. The recreational impact on the economy is expected <br />to be of major importance throughout the projection period. <br /> <br />3 <br />