Supplements 1-3 of Views, Comments and Recommendations on narrows Dam Project

• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 12/19/1951
• Author: Clifford Johnson
• Title: Supplements 1-3 of Views, Comments and Recommendations on narrows Dam Project
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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I would like to suggest that if the flood waters were controlled by-
strategically located dams on the Platte River and its tributary streams in
the foothills area, and on the watersheds of the tributary streams originat-
ing in the high plains areas, such as Bijou and Kiowa creeks, the flood
control feature could be eliminated from the proposed Narrows Dam, with
greater protection afforded to a greater number of people in the State.
This in turn would reduce the requirements needed for a dam to stabilize
stream flow and to catch the additional return flow created by waters diverted
from the Colorado River Basin, and would make feasible many other.sites on
the Platte river, where the condemnation of land might occur on less high
priced land of limited production.
Several other advantages of such a plan occur to me.
1. High storage of these flood waters means more moderate temperatxa
and less evaporation.
2. Water diverted from this high storage could be used in many more of
the existing irrigation districts in North Eastern Colorado to supplement the
water supplies and stabilize the economy of the area. °`
3. By this high storage and use in these higher districts, the retWr%a
flow to the river could be increased considerably, and use and reuse 'of
this water could be made several times before it crossed the State line, - and
maximum benefit of the water would be obtained through this re -use.
4. Many sites for these structures in the foothills area, could be obi
tained on marginal or submarginal land which would not materially effect.the
agricultural economy of county, State and Nation.
5. Lowland areas and Municipalities on the Platte river and its tribu-
taries,•between the Narrows site and the foothills area, would be protected
from floods.
6. The silt problem of any proposed main channel storage would be
essentially solved.
7. The ground water supplies would be sharply augmented, which ire'
becoming increasingly critical in areas supplied by intermittent streams
0;
I believe that most farmers under irrigation in the vicinity of the
Platte River, recognize the need for some type channel storage on the river
to stabilize the stream flow and and catch for re -use any additional return
flow that may occur as a result of diversion projects. Certainly, most
farmers in this high plains region of the State, realize the importance of
water in any form for crop production, and realize that the maximum use of
any water available.in the area is of paramount importance.
After studying the reports of the hearings on the Narrows Dam Project
and the additional statements filed subsequent to the hearings, i believe
that the major opposition to the dam may -be summarized as follows:
1. The people of the Weldon Valley oppose it because it means the
condemnation of their homes, their farms, and their businesses. Their would
be forced to seek a new livelihood. -