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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I the river. This work at the head of the reservoir was limited by the high water level in the reservoir. It was observed that the ice jamming problems during 1970 - 1971 were more severe and moved further upstream than the previous year. Additional clearing at the head of the Blue Mesa Reservoir and removal of the river banks upstream through the Cooper Ranch and Neversink properties were completed in the summer of 1971., Bureau of Reclamation is reported to have purchased the Cooper Ranch and Neversink properties. Ice iamming problems observed during 1971 - 1972 season did not move further upstream as it did in 1970 - 1971 season. For the 1972 - 1973 season, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation contracted with Mr. Burce Bartleson of Mesa College to observe and study the ice jamming on the Gunnison River. Mr. Bartleson found that only minor flooding occurred at or near the head of the main jam and no damages occurred. However, he observed that the undeveloped island lying to the southwest of Neversink Resort and some of the law land near Cooper Ranch were flooded. The site previously occupied by the Neversink cabins was not flooded. Mr. Bartleson concludes that the main jams that backs upstream from the reservoir are formed by the Blue Mesa ReservOir and that local ized ice jams cannot be in any way attributed to the reservoir. He further cautions against drawing definitive conclusions based on one season of observations. I I During the 1973 - 1974 season it was observed that by December 1st, the ice was developing at the Lake City Bridge and was progressing upstream. Within a week this jam was up to Cooper's Ranch. At this location the water reached the cabins at Cooper's on the north side of the river and inundated an area about 200 - 300 feet wide on the south side. During the next two weeks the ice jam progressed upstream of the Neversink Picnic area without causing any flooding at this location. By January 1, 1974 the ice had progressed to about 150 - 200 feet east of McCabe Bridge. The Eastmans re- ported water in the crawl space of their home which is located just east of the McCabe Bridge. From observation of this situation it was concluded by the USBR representatives that this seepage was not the result of the Gunnison River leaving its banks. Follawing January 1st the ice jam moved upstream to the bend in the river behind Mac's Motel. I I -11-