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<br />- <br /> <br /> <br />1. PROJECT SCOPE <br />The current study is being undertaken by the Corps of Engineers (Corps), with local <br />sponsorship of the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) and close coordination <br />with water providers and other stakeholders. The study was authorized by Section 808 of <br />the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 and the River and Harbor Act of 1958 <br />(see section 1.4 below). This authorization provides USACE direction to investigate the <br />feasibility of reallocating storage from the flood control purpose to joint flood control- <br />conservation purposes, including water supply storage, recreation opportunities, and fish <br />and wildlife habitat protection and enhancement in Chatfield Reservoir. This feasibility <br />study is being carried out via the General Investigation Program. <br /> <br />The scope of the Chatfield Reallocation Study focuses on natural and cultural resources <br />within the existing Chatfield Reservoir and how the proposed action and alternatives <br />could affect those resources. Much of the analysis will focus on the effects of water levels <br />in the reservoir, including the increase in elevation, and the fluctuations associated with <br />regular operations. The analysis of the proposed action and alternatives for this project <br />varies by resource but generally identifies the key concerns identified during the scoping <br />process for each resource. For example, the analysis will include parameters such as the <br />acreage of upland and wetland habitat inundated or otherwise impacted, an assessment of <br />the effects on recreational activities (e.g., boating, fishing) and facilities (e.g., boat ramps, <br />picnic tables), and the effects of water levels on aquatic habitat. Socioeconomic resources <br />are considered on a regional basis and include the impact of change to Chatfield State <br />Park, concessions operating within it,and the socioeconomic effects of water storage <br />within and outside of Chatfield Reservoir. The analysis also identifies mitigation <br />measures aimed at avoiding or minimizing impacts to particular resources. <br /> <br />1.1. LOCATION. <br />Chatfield Reservoir is located at the confluence of the South Platte River and Plum Creek <br />within the South Platte Basin. The reservoir itstllf is located southwest of Denver in <br />Douglas and Jefferson counties. The drainage area for the South Platte River basin <br />upstream of the reservoir encompasses 3,018 square miles and originates at the <br />headwaters in Park County, Colorado. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) manages most of <br />the lands along the mainstem ofthe South Platte River upstream ofthe reservoir. Plum <br />Creek, the second largest of the reservoir's tributaries, flows through a mixture of <br />rangelands and suburban areas. The Buffalo Creek and Hayman fires burned large areas <br />within the South Platte watershed, resulting in the deposition of sediments and other <br />pollutants into the South Platte River drainage. Reservoirs located upstream of Chatfield <br />include Strontia Springs, Cheesman Lake, Elevenmile Canyon, Spinney Mountain, and <br />Antero Reservoir. Downstream, the South Platte: River joins with the North Platte River <br />in western Nebraska to form the Platte River. The Platte River ultimately joins the <br />Missouri River at the Nebraska/Iowa border. The project area (Figure 1-1) encompasses <br />the area in the immediate vicinity of Chatfield Reservoir and extends downstream to <br />where the river intersects the AdamslW eld county line. <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br />