PROJ00035 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. CHlIPTER I INTRODUCTION The proposed Dominguez Reservoir Project is located in west-central Colorado on the Gunnison River about 8 miles upstream from its confluence with the Colorado River. The project area includes Mesa and Delta Counties, and particularly the region adjacent to the river between the cities of Grand Junction and Delta. Other communities that would be affected by the project include the rural community of Whitewater, on the Gunnison River, and the towns of Fruita, Clifton, and Palisade on the Colorado River within 15 miles of Grand Junction. The project area is scenic and is characterized by canyons and valley lands that intervene between mesas and plateaus of varying heights. The area's climate is arid, typified by hot summers, mild winters, and a high percentage of sunny days. . Feasibility investigations were begun in 1975 in accordance with the Water Resources Council's Principles and Standards for Planning Water and Related Land Resources (Principles and Standards). As indicated in subsequent chapters, projections of project needs shifted at the con- clusion of feasibility-level studies. This shift indicated less need for peaking power and an increased need for industrial water, and an additional candidate plan was formulated for consideration. Project Purpose The project is a multipurpose proposal that would develop water of the Gunnison River, a major tributary of the Colorado River, to meet present and future water-related needs of the surrounding area and to fulfill national economic development objectives. The area which the project would serve is growing and is expected to continue to grow as energy industries explore and develop the vast deposits of fossil and nuclear fuels in the region. Moreover, additional municipal and industrial (M&I) water development, baseload and peaking power capacity, and recreation facilities are specific areas of need, both at present and to accommodate the future growth. In addition, since the quality of lower Gunnison River water is seasonally poor, there is a need to improve the quality of low, late-season flows. Study Objectives . The objectives of the study were to determine the problems and needs of the area, to evaluate the capacity of local resources to correct the identified problems and needs, to develop and evaluate alternative plans for using these resources to help correct the problems and needs, to prepare feasibility-level designs and estimates and, if appropriate,