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<br />Alternative II-One Major Diversion <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />This alternative constructs a single diversion out of the Yampa River for the five current <br />irrigation ditches. It would be located at Mt. Harris. Several ditches would be combined. Those <br />ditches involved are the Gibraltar, Marshal Roberts, Williams, Walker and Shelton. The <br />Gibraltar i~.on the north side of the river while the others take water out on the south side. <br /> <br />Components <br />The major components are: Diversion Structure, 7300ft of new ditch, 1800 ft of concrete lined <br />ditch, 23,800 ft of ditch enlargement up to a capacity 138 cfs. In addition to these improvements . <br />there would be a need for several railroad & road crossings, utility crossings, and water control <br />structures. <br /> <br />Cost: $2.982.000 <br /> <br />EFFECTS: <br /> <br />SOIL RESOURCE- There will be streambank disturbance in the areas where construction <br />will occur, however, it will be of short-term effect. Streambed disturbance during annual <br />diversion construction will be eliminated with the project. With better diversion control of <br />the diversion greater streambank stability is expected. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />SURFACE WATER- Some of the existing diversion points will be abandoned as a result of <br />constructing one new diversion to replace them. This will reduce sediment loading from <br />maintenance activities associated with the old diversions. The new turnout proposed will <br />reduce sediment loading associated with its operation. <br /> <br />WETLANDS-Some areas may receive less water as a result of moving or eliminating <br />portions of the five ditches involved in the project. Other areas may receive more water as a <br />result of increased seepage from combined ditches. No net change in acreage or values is <br />expected. <br /> <br />WATER QUANTITY-With the planned system improvements in place there will not be a <br />problem being able to divert during flow losses the agricultural producers decreed water. The <br />improved system will also eliminate some seepage losses presently occurring. <br /> <br />PLANTS/RIP ARIAN HABITAT-Some habitat will be destroyed during construction but <br />most of it will return. The habita4 which exists along abandoned portions of the canal, will <br />probably be lost over time. <br /> <br />ANlMALS/ENDANGERED SPECIES- It is not known how project action will impact the <br />habitat or population of endangered fish., It is assumed that the project will have positive <br />effects in that there will be less stream disturbance from irrigation with the project in place. <br /> <br />HUMAN/CULTURAL RESOURCES-There are no known cultural resources in the areas of <br />construction therefore no impacts are anticipated. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />3 <br />