WSP12043

• File Number: 8443.200
• Description: Narrows Unit - Mailing Lists and Correspondence
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 9/13/1951
• Author: CWCB
• Title: Compilation of Data and Information on Proposed Narrows Reservoir Project
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

2918

vii

Concern was expressed over loss of tax revenue to Morgan County as the result
of tlle flooding of irrigated lands in the Weldon Valley. The losses that c~uld be
anticipated by the cOW1ty from this standpoint had been previously covered ill J .H.
Knights' talk. Questions on this subject were raised by L. A. j~tteson, and the
possibility of county revenue ,losses was pointed out by R. J. Lamborn, County
Commissioner of L!]organ County.

.,

.'

A question was raised as to whether a dam' cou1~ b~ constructed at the Hardin
site under the existing authorization for the Narroy,'s Jam., The answer, in effect,
was that an amended authorization would probably be re~uired if the location of
the dam were materially changed, and that the f.ardin site was inadequate to serve
all of the purposes required for storage on the South Platte in the vicinity of
Fort Morgan. Questions were also asked concerning the allocation of water for new
lands under the ultimate plan; cost of water per acre-foot for new lands; the
urgency of constructing the Narrows Dan; the Bureau's right-of-way costs, investi-
gation costs to date, total estimated cost of the i~arrows Unit" and annual mainten-
ance costs;and the methods used by the Bureau in measuring and computing the benefit.
cost ratio. Some of the individuals presenting these miscellm eous questions were
Messrs. George A. Epperson, R. J. Lamborn, hichard B., Paynter, C. H., Anders, "j.n.
Gaunt, and J. Corder Smith.

V. Written statements were presented at the meeting by various individuals
and companies, and are attached hereto as a part of this compilation.

VI.' Oral statements were made by ~rnest Rosener, who outlined his previous
questions and desire for control of Bijou Creek by construction of upstream dams;
furs.Henr~y jchaeffer,who requested the Bureau take cognizance 0f the sentimental
value of the property in \ieldon Valley; and L. A. l.latteso!1, who expressed the fear
that seepage problems might occur downstream from the Narrows Dam after it had been
constructed.

Sterling Meeting. -- Most of the 14 questions raised by people attending this
meeting were similar to those asked at the Fort Morgan meeting--,{ater right and
appraisal policies that ~ould be followed by the Bureau of Reclamation with respect
to the Narrows ~roject, estimated cost of the project, and the flood control aspects
of the Narrows Reservoir. Additional questions were ra:,sed as to the possibility
of the project becoming a part of the Missouri Hi ver ';alley Authority, the price
of water per acre-foot during the interim period, and ihe sediment control afforded
-~ by the Narrows Dam..

The question' concerning the possibility of the Bureau making this part of a
.\ Vall elf Authority was addressed to Mr. Stone. He stated that the Narrows was a part
of Pick-5loan plan for development. of the i:a.ssouri Basin. This plan was approved
by Congress in .1944 as one of the means of pre\"enting the Valley Authority type of
development. He expressed the view that the Pick-jloan plan was one of the most
effective means of defeating the Authority on the i,lissouri Basin. With reference
to the price of vlater per acre-foot durinG the interim period, J. n. Knights re-
iterated his previous statement on this subject; i.e., that water service contracts
between the United ::itates and the individual water user or companies should be
negotiated on an annual basis, the price at which the water would be sold each year
to be based on the anticipated supply and demand and other related econo~ic factors
for that year.