FLOOD01223 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Transbasin Diversions It is estimated that more than 300,000 acre-feet are imported into the South Platte River System annually through some 16 transbasin diversion projects. Notable among these projects are the Moffat collection system and the Blue River system operated by the Denver Water Board, and the Colorado-Big Thompson Project operated by the Bureau of Reclamation and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District. A substantial portion is for irrigation use, and another large block serves municipal and industrial needs, especially in the Denver metropolitan area. Transmountain diversions into the North Platte River Basin, which are basically for municipal supply, total less than 40,000 acre-feet per year. North Platte River Two units of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Project, the Kortes Unit and the GI endo Unit, together with the Kendrick Project and the North Pl atte Project,provide a system of structures for storing and using the flows of the North Platte River. All of these facilities were bui lt by the Bureau of Rec I amati on. The Kortes Unit, cons i sti ng of Kortes Dam, Reservoir and Powerplant, lies in a narrow gorge on the North Platte River about 60 miles southwest of Casper, Wyoming. Power generation and limited recreation use are the functions of this unit. Glendo, a multiple-purpose development, consists of Glendo Dam, Reservoi rand Powerpl ant, Fremont Canyon Powerpl ant, and Gray Reef Dam and reregul ating reservoir. This unit is capable of furnishing up to 40,000 acre-feet of water annually for irrigation in Wyoming and Nebraska. Power generation, flood control, fish and wildlife enhance- ment, recreati on, sed iment retenti on, po II ut ion abatement, and water quality improvement are other project benefits. The Gl endo Unit is operated in conformi ty wi th the North PI atte Ri ver Decree as amended. Irrig at i on water from Gl endo Reservoir is del i vered to water users in the North Platte River Valley at and below Whalen Diversion Dam, a feature of the North Platte Project. Major features of the Kendrick Project are Semi noe Dam and Powerpl ant, Alcova Dam and Powerplant, the Casper Canal and laterals, drainage control, and a power distribution system. Irrigation, power generation, recreation, and fish and wildlife are important functions of this proj ect. The North Platte Project was the first Federal development on the North Pl atte River. Features incl ude Pathfi nder Dam and Reservoir; Guernsey Dam, Reservoi r, and Powerpl ant; Whal en Diversion Dam; Lake Al ice, Lake Minatare, two small regul ating reservoirs; canals, I aterals, and drains; and power transmission lines. Irrigation water is delivered to 1 ands in Wyoming and Nebraska. Other functions incl ude hydroel ectric power, flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife. Within Nebraska above Lake McConaughy, the flow of the North Platte is altered substantially by diversions and return flows from the extensive 22