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2943 -12- STATEi,iiNT OF THE BIJOU ~YSTEM TO Tfu: STATE \{~TJ>~ CQrj"cJ(VATION BOAr,]) . The Bijou System, as such, consists of the Bijou Irrigation District and the Sijou Irrigation Company, which two organizations own the ~"pire Canal, the 0mpire ileservoir, the Bijou Canal and the Bijou Ho. 2 Reservoir, together \lith all approp- riations that have been adjudicated to these two systems for the use of water over a maximum period of sixty-five years. The Bijou System has long recognized the need for channel storage, not particu- larly for flood control, but to conserve water that might otherwise be wasted. We do hold ,with the position that government money should only be obtained and spent on any project after dae study and consideration. bxpenditures should be made only upon such projects as are feasible and beneficial to the public. This especially applies when proposed projects affect long standing and established irrigation systems, We do not believe that studies of sach systems have received enough consideration. Questions to irrigationists problems remain unanswered. Insofar as Sijou Creek is concerned, we are of the op2n~on that more emphasis has been placed on its control at the Narrows' than is justified. All of the irrigated farm country south of \;iggins, Colorado, and west of Bijou Creek is served by irri- gation wells. jjany natural reservoir sites in that area are available. It would be most beneficial if the waters of Bijou, Muddy and Kiowa Creeks could be impounded south of Wiggins, Colorado, for the purpose of recharging underground supplies. This would likewise answer the silt problem for users of water below the confluence of the Bijou and Platte. In giving consideration to the NarroTIs Dam as presently proposed by the Bureau of Reclamation, we are firmly of the opinion that the final determination of this site should be delayed until the detailed stuey of the South ~latte River Basin and its tributaries can be completed by the Bureau. Upon the completion of these studies, it may well be determined that (a) the capacity of this dam as nOl{ proposed might be materially reduced, (b) that no neces- sity exists for immediate construction of any reservoir, and (c) that the interests of this system and many other water users on the "outh flatte Hiver could best be served by higher storage of water than at the Narrows site. The Bijou System prefers, urges and reconunends t:l:J.t tr,e Hardin site be given further serious consideration by the ::>tate l,ater Conse,,,.,'9',ion Board and the Bureau of Reclamation. We believe that the same studies t:,a': .,axe seen made at the Narrows should be carried out at the Hardin site. At tile cC:.o:""ision of the basin wide survey a different arrangement for storage facilities ~y ':Je ,jeter;:1ined to be more efficient and feasible. Before approval can be given by this system to the proposed Narrows site or any other site affecting this system, certain important and fundamental problems relating to the use of water and to this system must ~e determined and settled.