FLOOD11630 ‎(2)‎

• County: Statewide
• Basin: Arkansas
• Title: Post Flood Assessment Report - Arkansas River
• Date: 9/15/1999
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Flood Documentation Report

constructed several small dams in the watershed to control small tributary flows. It should be
noted that the St Chazles Reservoir south of Pueblo is not actually on the St Chaxles R.iver and
therefore provides no flood protection along the St Charles River.
The Bureau of Reclamation (BuRec) constructed the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project to help
supplement the water supply in the Arkansas River Basin in Colorado. The project was
authorized iai 1962 and completed in June 1981. The project provides municipal and industrial
water supply, supplemental irrigation, hydroelectric power production, flood control, and fish
and wildlife enhancement. The Fryingpan-Arkansas Project is separated by the C;ontinental
Divide which rises over 12,000 feet in many places. The two halves of the projert aze the
Western Slope, located within the boundaries of the White River National Forest at elevations
above 10,000 feet; and the Eastern Slope in the Arkansas River Valley. The project facilities
primarily divert water from the Westem Slope to the water-short areas on the Eastem Slope.
Major facilities consist of six storage dams and reservoirs, 16 diversion structure:~, and nine
tunnels. The project makes possible an average annual diversion of 69,200 acre-iFeet of trans-
mountain water. The project supplements the trans-mountain water c~iversion capabiiity of the
Hoosier Tunnel and Homestake Water Development Project, two prior trans-mountain projects
constructed by local governments.
Pueblo Dam and Reservoir is the terminal storage facility for the Fryingpan-Arkansas project and
is located about 6 miles upstream of Pueblo. The dam was completeci in 1975 and includes
93,000 acre-feet of storage allocated to flood control. Pueblo Dam was constructed on top of the
Rock Canyon Barrier Dam, a local flood protection project constnicted between 1924-1925.
About one-third of the Arkansas River Basin above Las Animas is controlled hy Pueblo Dam;
however, storms occurring over the large uncontrolled drainage area below Pueblo Dam continue
to produce major floods at La Junta.
Chapter 2- History of Flooding and Flood Protection
Post Flood Assessment Report ~~ 12 Drafi Revised o9/09/99