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

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AZURE (Continued}

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Waler ConseNalion District holds a 1958 decree for the
project and in 1980 successfully completed negotiations
with the Municipal Subdi'itrict 01 the Northern Colorado
Water Conservancy District on construction of the project.
The negotiations followed a Colorado Supreme Court
ruling that the Subdistrict must specify plans for compen-
satory storage to the Weslern Slope for the Windy Gap
trans-mountain diversion project. Some 46 individuals,
towns and entities are to be signatory to the complex. 27-
page agreemenllhal was approved on April 30, 1980. In
the broadest terms. the agreement eliminates official
Weslern Slope opposition 10 the Windy Gap project while
making the Subdistrict and Colorado River District
partners 01 sorts in the coming years in an effort at
bringing about construction of Azure. Generally, the
agreement also specifies the protection Of certain senior
decree holders in Western Colorado and makes provision
for mitigating the impact 01 the Windy Gap diverSion with
respect to Grand County.

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Physical Facts and Figures:
Height, length and type of dam: 115 leet high: 400 feet
long: concrete arch
Storage capacity (A.F,) of reservoir: 30.000 acre-feet

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2171

Shoreline and surface area: Eight-mile shoreline; 500-
acre surface

Average annual power generation; 60-70 million
kilowatt hours

Population to be served: 100,000 in five Counties,
directly or indirectly

Irrigated acres to be served; minimum of 10,000 acres

Estimated cost $35,000,000

Construction schedule: Anticipate Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission license approval in 1982; start
construction 1983; completed 1984.

Proposed Sources of Funding:

Financed by Municipal Subdistrict with bonds repayed by
power revenues.

For Further Information Contact

Roland C. Fischer; Secretary.Engineer
Colorado River Water Conservation District,
P.O. Box 1120, Glenwood Springs. CO 81601
945-8522

DALLAS

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Locallon:
West-central Colorado in Uncompahgre River Basin of
Upper Colorado River Basin.

Sponsor:
Tri-County Water Conservancy District.
Primary Purpose 01 the Project
Municipal and light industrial water and irrigation.
Secondary Benelils:
Recreation, fisheries and ,Iood control.

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History and BaCkground:

Detailed feasibility studies were conducted on the Dallas
Creek Project in the early 1960's and the results were
outlined in a leasibility report which was issued by the
Bureau of Reclamation in February 1966. The project was
authorized as a participating project of the Colorado River
Storage Project by the Colorado River Basin act of
September 30. 1968 (PL 9(}-357).

The plan at the time of authorization called for a project ot
larger scope than is now being constructed. It called tor
three reservoirs. Dallas Divide reservoir on Pleasant Valley
Creek west of the town of Ridgway would have stored
water of that stream supplemented by surplus flows ot
East and West For1o;;s of Dallas Creek delivered by a feeder
Canal. Ridgway Reservoir was to have been constructed
about 7 miles upstream from the present site and would
have inundated the town of Ridgway. Sneva Reservoir
would have been constructed east of Ridgway on a site
oHstream trom Cow Creek. Irrigation service would be
provided to lands on Log Hill Mesa and in the Colona and
Dallas Creek areas. Municipal water was planned for
Montrose, Delta, Olathe. and the surrounding rural areas.

Advance planning studies indicated that the proposed

damsite for Ridgway Reservoir was geologically un.
satisfactory and the reservoir was moved to its present
location. It also seemed desirable to reduce theamount ot
irrigation and increase the water for municipal and
industrial use, inCluding municipal service to residential
development on Log Hill Mesa.

A proposal was considered to supply 24.000 acre-teet to a
potential coal-fired steam electric plant This plan was
dropped. by recommendation of the Governor of
Colorado. when it drew opposition from local residents
and environmental groups.

Opposition also developed to the construction of Dallas
Divide Reservoir and water delivery to Log Hill Mesa.
Those features were, therefore, dropped from the plan. A
final environmental statement was filed September 28,
1976. and the definite plan report was approved by the
Commissioner of Reclamation in November 1976.

The repayment contract between the United States and
Tri-County Water Conservancy District was signed
January 14, 19n.
(Continued on (J8ge 19)

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