Laserfiche WebLink
<br />940 <br /> <br />Old Fort Morgan Site.--The reservoir site is physically <br />limited, and dead storage is large as the Fort Morgan Canal <br />would be located at a relatively high elevation with respect <br />to the dam. This site was eliminated on the basis of cost, <br />limited capacity, and potentially unfavorable ground water con- <br />ditions downst~eam from the dam. <br /> <br />Weldona Site.--The Weldona site was eliminated from <br />further consideration and study on the basis of costs. <br /> <br />Fort Morgan Site.--The final choice was between the <br />Narrows and the Fort Morgan sites. A comparison of th~se two <br />sites shows a differential in construction contract costs of <br />over $2,000,000 in favor of the Narrows site. Foundation studies <br />and Thiem tests indicate that losses by seepage at the Fort <br />Morgan site would be about twice that at the Narrows site and that <br />fewer seepage problems would result from the Narrows Reservoir <br />because of its favorable location in relation to the Bijou Creek <br />channel which would act as a cutoff drain. The average annual <br />evaporation from a reservoir at the Narrows site would be 6,000 <br />acre-feet less than the evaporation at the Fort Morgan site. <br />From the standpoint of efficient utilization of the available <br />water supply, a reservoir at the Narrows site will be more des- <br />irable. Use of the Narrows Reservoir, will remove from production <br />by Government acquisition a total of 6,497',acres of irrigated <br />land compared to 5,549 acres at the Fort Morgan site--a difference <br />of 948 acres. A reservoir at the Fort Morgan site to elevation <br />4403 would approach the physical limit of the site, and there <br />would be no chance for enlargement if, over a period of years, the <br />water supply situation changes or sediment encroaches beyond the <br />capacity allotted for this purpose. The Narrows site offers <br />flexibility in that a portion of the surcharge space provided <br />for protection of the dam against occurrence of a spillway design <br />flood could be converted to other uses by installation of <br />auxiliary spillway capacity. <br /> <br />The Narrows site was found to be the most economical site <br />available. It allows the creation of the greatest benefits from <br />all aspects; it is the best plan from an engineering standpoint <br />in that seepage problems are less than at other sites; it has <br />greater flexibility to accommodate changing conditions; and it <br />makes possible the best use of the water available. <br /> <br />Plan of Develotlient.--The major feature in the plan of <br />development will be t e Narrows Dam on the South Platte River. <br />The channel of Bijou Creek' will be changed to direct the flow <br />into the reservoir so complete regulation can be given to all <br />floods which might occur on that stream. The Union Pacific <br />Railroad, State Highway 144, county roads, power lines, tele- <br />phone lines, and other utilities will be relocated so service <br />can be maintained. <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br />