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293G -8- Irrigation systems down stream from the Bijou and Kiowa do not want this silt lad~m. water as they have heavy land and water containing silt would seal up the pores in the soil and make it difficult to follow up with machinery to till the soil. .. We feel that if the water from the Bijou and Kiowa, carrying from 10% to 15% dry silt and sand, were impounded in proposed Narrows Reservoir that it would only be a short time until the reservoir would be of little value fDr flood control or water storage. SUMllARY 1. In any plans for flood control on the South Platte river the Bijou and Kiowa Creeks must be considered. 2. The silt laden waters of the Bijou Creek especially must be considered in the life-expectancy of any flood control dam and reservoir. 3. 17,000 acreli' of excellent farm land is being irrigated by pumps delivering their water from the underground water bearing stratas of the Bijou and Kiowa Creeks; and there is a potential of several thousand more acres of level and fertile land that could be developed in these valleys. The total p~~ capacity is estimated 1000 acre feet in a 24 hour period ,dth all pumps running at the same time. WE TlI!REFORE SUGGEST THAT: 1. Small dams be built in all gullies and tributaries of Bijou and Kiowa Creeks to control silt and water. 2. The old Nile irrigation to be restored to catch flood waters to be released slowly into dry creek beds to perculate and recharge this underflow. 3. Insofar as the population of the United States and theWJrld is increasing rapidly and the need for food and fiber is becoming increasingly critical, we deem this a plan of true economy to combine the efforts of flood control and the maintainence of the underground water which serves as a medium of irrigation for several thousand acres of excellent crop land. Respectfully submitted, " Tfffi BIJOU-KIOlfA UNDEHGROUND ,lATE;' ASSOCIATION Seth Harshman, President Dan Richardson, Secretary _nggins, Colorado