2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

PART VI FUTURE DEVELOPMENT e to future developments upstream, both private and Federal, even though the rights of the upstream developments might be junior to the Aspinall Unit right. The aggregate amount of upstream depletions for which the priority of the Aspinall right may be waived has not yet been determined. The authorizing legislation of the Colorado River Stor- age Project listed the five projects in the Upper Gunnison River Basin for priority of investigations: (1) Bostwick Park, (2) East River, (3) Fruitland Mesa, (4) Ohio Creek, and (5) Tomichi Creek. The total depletion by these five projects was estimated to be about 60,000 acre-feet annually of which 40,000 acre-feet would be depleted above Blue Mesa Dam. An additional 10,000 acre-feet would be depleted between Morrow Point and Blue Mesa Dams, and another 10, 000 acre-feet would be depleted between Crystal and Morrow Point Dams. An increased upstream depletion of 60,000 acre-feet was assumed in the operation studies for the Aspinall Unit in the determination of the water supply available for power generation. e In 1973, Reclamation issued a Concluding Report on its Upper Gunnison Project investigations which included the East River, Ohio Creek, and Tomichi Creek Units. Although it was concluded that there were limited potentialities for Federal water resource development under existing evaluation criteria and projected economic conditions, Reclamation still recognizes its commitment to allow beneficial develop- ment of waters of the Upper Gunnison River Basin up to an amount of about 60,000 acre-feet. Allowing for an existing 4,000-acre-foot deple- tion of the Bostwick Park Project and assuming the depletion of 21,000 acre-feet is realized on Fruitland Mesa Project by 2040, there would be a remainder of 35,000 acre-feet available for depletion. Table A shows arbitrary levels of development during the period 1990 to 2010. o. West Divide Project A Feasibility Report was prepared in 1966, and the proj- ect was authorized by Public Law 90-537 on September 30, 1968, as a par- ticipating project of the Colorado River Storage Project. Advance plan- ning studies have continued and various plans have been considered, but none is feasible based upon current policies and procedures for plan- ning water and related land resources. Plans include a mix of water for irrigation and municipal use. A Concluding Report has been drafted to summarize data available. A plan is presented which is not economically justified but totals a 38,200-acre-foot depletion. For planning pur- poses, an administrative decision was made by Reclamation to defer de- pletions until after 2030. p. Taylor Draw Reservoir Project e Taylor Draw Dam is under construction a few miles east of Rangely, Colo. Financing was approved by the electorate in August 1980 and bonds have been issued. Construction commenced August 1982. Deple- tion values were supplied by the Colorado Water Conservation Board. 43