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CHAPTER 1 PURPOSE AND NEED 55,000 acre-feet of storage to be used for municipal, industrial, and irrigation purposes in the Uncompahgre Valley. Reclamation's proposed operation of this reservoir has been incorporated into the Sponsors' water supply studies. The analysis was based upon projected operating schedules and releases from the .reservoir over a 32-year period. Development of the AB Lateral alternatives would not affect water levels in the Ridgway Reservoir, nor would it increase the amounts of water withdrawn for irrigation or other purposes. Smith Fork Project The Smith Fork Project was constructed by Reclamation in the early 1960's and is located in Delta and Montrose Counties about 25 miles east of Delta. Using flows of the Smith Fork and Iron, Muddy, and Alkalai Creeks, the project provides supplemental '-"-irrigation 'water t08 ,924 -acres and a full -service supplyto,------,- ---'. 1,423 acres of land. The principal feature is Crawford Dam about a mile south of Crawford on Iron Creek. The 14,395-acre-foot Crawford Reservoir stores the direct surplus flows of Iron, Muddy, and Alkalai Creeks as well as flows of the Smith Fork through the Smith Fork Feeder Canal. Water from the reservoir is supplied to project lands by Aspen and Clipper Canals. The Crawford Water Conservancy District operates and maintains the project while the Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation administers the recreation at Crawford Reservoir which includes fishing, boating, and camping. The Smith Fork Project would not be affected by operation of the AB Lateral alternative. Uncompahqre Rehabilitation and Betterment Program Although maintenance and rehabilitation has been regularly performed during UVRP operation, by the 1970's much of the UVRP system needed repair and modernization. In 1979 at UVWUA's request, Reclamation began a detailed inspection' of UVRP facilities to determine the extent and nature of needed improvements. In 1981, the study was completed. A rehabili- tation and betterment (R&B) report was approved that authorized a R&B loan from the United States to the UVWUA. Work was begun on the R&B program in 1982. Completed rehabilitation work include: (1) replacement of the needle valves and associated structures at Taylor Park Dam with jet flow valves; (2) replacement of the wooden flume through Olathe with buried concrete pipe; (3) reconstruction of the wooden flume section on the Ironstone Canal with a concrete-lined 1 -14