FLOOD01459

• County: Gunnison
• Community: Uncompahgre Valley
• Title: Upper Gunnison-Uncompahgre Basin Phase 1 Feasibility Study Summary Report
• Date: 5/1/1989
• Prepared For: Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority
• Prepared By: HDR Engineering, Inc.
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Project

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

This preliminary evaluation of alternative water management plans for the
Upper Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basins was conducted by the Colorado
Water Resources and Power Development Authority (Authority) at the request of
the Study's sponsors: the Upper Gunni son Ri ver Water Conservancy Di stri ct
(UGRWCD) and the Colorado River Water Conservation District (CRWCD). The
purpose of this Summary Report is to present a concise overview of the Study.
The Final Report for the Study presents these topics in greater detail,

The physical area investigated (the Study Area) in this Study includes
the Upper Gunnison sub-basin (upstream of Crystal Dam) and the Uncompahgre
sub-basin. Figure 1.1 shows the Gunnison River Basin and the Study Area
boundary. Located in west-central Colorado, the Study Area is bordered by the
Continental Divide to the east and southeast, the San Juan Mountains to the
south, the town of Delta to the west, and the North Fork of the Gunnison and
Roari ng Fork watersheds to the north, The Study Area encompasses
approximately 5120 square miles of land,

1.1 AUTHORIZATION

The Upper Gunni son-Uncompahgre Basi n Phase I Feas i bil ity Study (Study)
was authorized on December 12, 1986, by the Authority's Board of Directors in
response to an application submitted by the previously mentioned Study
sponsors. The Authority entered into a contract with HDR Engineering, Inc.
(HDR) on June 5, 1987, to provide consulting services for the Study, HDR
subcontracted with three other organizations to provide specialty services:
WBLA Inc., for hydrologic/water rights model ing; Woodward Clyde Consultants
for geology and geotechnical engineering; and the CU Center for Economic
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Analysis for population projections and economic forecasting, The following
individuals also participated as members of the Study Team: Dr, Hugo Ferchau
for botany; Dr. Robert Behnke for aquatic biology; and Mr, Robert Rosette for
waterfowl and stream access studies.

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