WSPP00139

• File Number: 8200.300.40.A
• Description: Colorado River Basin-Colorado River Basin Legislation/Law-Compacts-Colorado River Compact
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 2/1/1981
• Title: Colorado River Compact-Synopsis of Major Documents-Colorado Water-Key to Tomorrows Quality of Life
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

SM ITItiFORK
r, "t. ,<;

Location:
South of the confluence of the Smith Fork ~nd Gunnison
Rivers.

Sponsor:
City of Delt~, Colorado.

Primary Purpose of the Project
To provide a clean, renewable, and inflation-proof eiectric
generation source.

Secondary Benefits:
Water sources for municipal and industrial use.

History and Background:

The Delta hydroeiectric project, known as the Smith Fork,
was initiated in 1954 when the City of Delta acquired the
necessary water rights to build the project. Since 1937
when the City of Delta bec~me a municip~1 electric utility,
planning has been underway to improve the electrical
distribution ~nd generation systems of the City. I n the late
1960's, the Delta City Council began planning the Smith
Fork Project as the future power SOurce for the City. In
1974 the City contracted with consultants to perform a
reconn~issance study of the project and to prepare a
preliminary permit application to the then-Federal Power
Commission. In August 1977 ,the City was Issued a
preliminary permit by the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (F.E.R.C.) to begin the study necessary to
complete the preliminary permit. However. due to action
taken by the Department of the Interior under their
interpretation of the regulations set forth under the Wiid
and Scenic Rivers Act, the City has not been permitted to
pursue the activities outlined in the preliminary permit.

Physical Facts and Figures:
Height, length and type of dam: 275 feet high concrete
arch dam; approximately 500 feet across
Storage capacity (A.F.j of reservoir: 20,000 acre-feet
storage capacity
Shoreline amI surface area: not determined
A verage annual power generation: 35.5 megawatt
capaCity
Population to be served: 15.000 to 20,000 people
Irrlg~ted acres to be served: N/A
Estimated cost: $80,000.000. including transmission
facilities
Construction schedule: 1985-86 construction start date;
completion in 1988/89
Proposed Sources of Funding:
The total capital requirements based on a scheduled on-
line date of 1987 is estimated at $80,000,000. The project
will be financed through the issuance of revenue bonds
secured by revenues derived from power sales in the City
and to other electric distribution systems. The project will
not be paid through any City taxes ~nd projected electric
rates are very favorable in terms of today's costs. The City
has a contract with Soloman Brothers of New York for
assistance in the financial aspects of the project.

For Further Information Contact:

Dennis M. Kirtland; City Manager
P.O. Box 19, Delta, CO 81416
874-7566

WEST DIVIDE

Location:

West-central Colorado primarily in Garfield 'County.
South side of Colorado River between towns of Glenwood
Springs and Grand Valley.

Sponsor:

West Divide Water Conservancy District. .

Primary Purpose of the Project
Irrigation, municipal and rural domestic water.

Secondary Benefits:

Fish and wildlife; recreation.

History and Background:

Settlers around the turn of the century soon discovered
that diversions from area streams did not provide timely
amounts of water: Annual stream flows varied Widely and
even In good years, late-season flows were often Inade-
quate. Storage, trans-basin diversions, or obtaining water
from the Colorado River, or a combination of these were
needed to provide a firm water supply for the irrigation of

crops within the project area.

,
In 1936, the Bureau of Reclamation began surveying the
area to help develop storage and Improve conveyance
systems. The Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) Act
of 1956 gave the West Divide Project participating project
status and priority for report completion. The West Divide
Water Conservancy District was formed in 1964 to serve as
sponsor and contracting agency for the project.

A feasibility report pUblished in 1966 proposed a plan for
developing irrigation, municipal, and industri~1 water in
the Crystal River drainage and ~Iong the Colorado River
between Glenwood Springs and DeBeque. A significant
feature of this plan has the trans-basin diversion of water
from Crystal River to the West Divide Area. In 1966,
Congress authorized construction of the West Divide
P~oject In response to the feasibility report. Following
authorization, antiCipated industri~1 water needs did not
materialize and opposition developed to constructing a
reservoir on the Crystal River. For these reasons, the West
Divide Water Conservancy District and the Bureau of
Reclamation with the help of a citizens committee,

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