Bear Creek Basin, South Platte River and Tributaries, Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska

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ENGBR SUBJECT: Bear Creek Basin, South Platte River and Tributaries, Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska Structural facilities would be provided in lieu of relocations to accom- modate the flow requirements of three water supply canals. The recom- mended project includes lands and facilities for wildlife management and recreation purposes. The District Engineer finds that the plan of improvement is an essential element of a comprehensive flood control system for metropolitan Denver and the upper South Platte River basin, and that the improvements, in combination with the existing Cherry Creek project and the Chatfield project presently under construction, would enhance the welfare and economic stability of the region by affording security against disastrous floods. He also finds that the associated recreational development of the proposed project would materially enhance opportunities for water -based recreation and fill • need for such facilities on the basis of current and future needs of • rapidly growing population. 8. The District Engineer recommends that the Chief of Engineers be authorized to participate in construction and relocation of transpor- tation facilities and utilities in advance of project construction to avoid increased costs for relocations, that following authorization of the project, detailed site investigations and design be made for the purpose of accurately defining the project lands required and that, subsequently, advance acquisition be made of such title to such lands as may be required to preserve the site against incompatible developments. 9. The Division Engineer concurs generally in the plan of improvement recommended by the District Engineer. However, he is of the opinion that a contingency item in the amount of $7,800,000 should be included in the project cost to permit modification of the spillway design and purchase of additional lands should detailed subsurface exploration at the site dictate such action. Also, he feels that the estimated cost for the plan recommended in the report should be further increased by $1,000,000 to cover the possible cost of remedial work in connection with the abandoned mine workings known to be under the abutments of the proposed dam. 10. Economic evaluation. - -Based on 1966 price levels, the District Engineer estimates the first cost of the improvement at $21,000,000, of which $20,481,500 would be Federal and $518,500 M