BOARD00935

• Board Meeting Date: 9/5/1968
• Description: Agenda or Table of Contents, Minutes, Memos
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Meeting

I

Under preauthorization planning, Arkansas
River above John Martin Dam, the report pre-
senting the results of a review survey of
the flood and water-related problems in the
Arkansas River subbasin above John Martin
Dam has been completed and submitted by the
Albuquerque District to higher authority for
further processing and submittal to Congress.

The plan of improvement considered to be
the most feasible, and therefore selected as
the most suitable, comprises local flood
protection projects at Cotopaxi, Florence,
Portland, Pueblo, La Junta, and Rocky Ford;
and major channel improvement of the Arkan-
sas River from Brewster to Florence and
from Pueblo to the vicinity of Las Animas.
It was determined that, in connection with
improvement of the latter main stem reach,
it would be economically feasible to develop
seventeen adjacent areas for recreation and
warm-water fishing. In addition to flood
control and recreation, construction of the
main stem improvements would provide major
drainage outlets, reduce water losses, pro-
tect and preserve Bent's Old Fort National
Historic site, and accrue area redevelopment
benefits.

I

Upon completion of the investigation
for this report and the tentative selection
of the projects to be included in the plan
of development:, numerous public meetings and
a final public hearing were held to apprise
local interests of improvements considered,
their estimated costs and effects, and the
requirements of local cooperation. At that
time, in order to expedite solution of their
flood problems, residents of cotopaxi ex-
pressed their desire to sponsor the proposed
Cotopaxi local protection project and re-
quested that it be considered for early
authorization and construction under Section
205 of the 1948 Flood Control Act, as amended.
Since the proposed improvement would be