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History of the Uncompahgre Valley Project <br /> The Uncompahgre Project Area (UPA) is one of the oldest Reclamation projects, <br /> stretching across much of western Colorado in Delta and Montrose counties (Figure 1). <br /> It was one of the first projects funded by President Roosevelt under the newly formed <br /> Reclamation Service in 1902. Under the provisions of the Reclamation Act, the <br /> Uncompahgre Project was authorized for construction by the Secretary of the Interior on <br /> March 14, 1903 and subsequently authorized to allow for the sale of hydroelectric power <br /> under the Reclamation Act of 1938 (52 Stat. 941, Sale of Surplus Power,Uncompahgre <br /> Valley Project). <br /> Project service Area and Facilities <br /> The Uncompahgre Project operates in Reclamation's Upper Colorado Region and <br /> contains one storage dam at Taylor Park Reservoir in Gunnison County, 7 diversion <br /> darns, 128 miles of canals,438 miles of laterals and 216 miles of drains. Diversion dams <br /> in Montrose County include the East Portal of the Gunnison Tunnel on the Gunnison <br /> River, and the East, Loutzenhizer, Montrose/Delta (M&D), Ironstone and Selig Canal <br /> Diversions all of which are on the Uncompahgre River. Delta County is home to the <br /> Garnet Canal Diversion Dam also on the Uncompahgre River. The UPA currently has <br /> four small-scale hydroelectric facilities,three located on the South Canal at Drops#1,#3 <br /> (both producing),#4(coming on line early summer 2015)and one on the M&D Canal at <br /> Drop#6(Shavano Falls coming on line spring 2015). Drop#1 produces 3.4 MW,Drop <br /> #3 and#6 each produce approximately 2.8 MW and Drop#4 will produce 4.8 MW. We <br /> also have a LOPP in place, design and a feasibility study for Drop # 2 on the South <br /> Canal. This site uses new technology for low head hydro which incorporates the use of a <br /> Archimedes Screw as the turbine. This site will produce around 1 MW of power. <br /> Discussions are also currently underway with Gunnison County Electric Association <br /> (GECEA)regarding the feasibility of constructing a hydroelectric facility at Taylor Park <br /> Reservoir. <br /> The Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association (UVWUA), a 501(c) (12) not for <br /> profit entity, was incorporated in 1903 (See Appendix A: Articles of Incorporation and <br /> By-Laws) and is contracted with the Bureau of Reclamation (See Appendix B: 1948 <br /> Contract...) to operate and maintain the UPA facilities. The UVWUA maintains a <br /> professional staff of organizational and fiscal managers,water masters,office stag ditch <br /> riders and skilled laborers. The UVWUA Board of Directors (Board) is elected by the <br /> members,who are shareholders,at an annual meeting each year.The Board is made up of <br /> 9 members, three from the Montrose area,three from the Olathe area, and three from the <br /> Delta area. Each director serves a three-year revolving term. The general powers of the <br /> Board of Directors as outlined by the Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation(Appendix A) <br /> are: <br /> 2 <br />