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<br /> <br />. <br /> <br />CHAPTER II <br /> <br />PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT <br /> <br />Project Purposes <br /> <br />The Fruitland Mesa project, a potential participating project of the <br />Colorado River Storage project, would develop presently unused floW's of <br />soap, Curecanti, and crystal Creeks for irrigation, fish and W'ildlife, <br />and recreational purposes. The project would provide an average of SB,soo <br />acre-feet of Ifater annually for the irrigation. The W'ater would be used <br />as a full irrigation supply for 16,520 acres that are not presently irri- <br />gated and as a supplemental supply for 6,930 acres that are noW' inade- <br />quately served from Crystal and Iron Creeks. Recreational facilities, <br />including boating, camping, and access facilities, would be providea at <br />the potential Soap Park Reservoir. Flowsfor fish would be maintained in <br />Soap and Curecanti Creeks and important fish benefits at the reservoir <br />itself W'ould also be provided. Access roads and trails required for proj- <br />ect construction and operation would make streams in the area more acces- <br />. sible to fishermen. <br /> <br />HYdroelectric pOlfer and municipal water developments are not included <br />in project plans. The project would have negligible value for fJood con- <br />trol. It W'ould not affect Indian lands nor involve problems of sediment <br />and debris control nor navigation. The National Park Service has indi- <br />cated that a small amount of project ,rater may be required for a future <br />recreational area on the north rim of the Black Canyon in the Black Can- <br />yon of the Gunnison National ~bnument, Should such a need develop, it <br />could be supplied with but minor adjustment in the project irrigation <br />service. <br /> <br />Pro,ject Plan <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />FloW's of Soap Creek Iwuld be regulated at the Soap Park Reservoir <br />fanned by a dam at a point about 10 miles north (upstream) from the <br />creek's junction with Gunnison River. The reservoir would have a capac- <br />ity of ~4,670 acre-feet. Irrigation W'ater W'Ould be released from stor- <br />age as needed into the Black ~lesa COnduit and conveyed 10.8 miles to <br />Crystal Creek near the head of the irrigation distribution system. The <br />Black Mesa Conduit would include a canal and bench flume section extend- <br />ing 2.8 miles from Soap Park Dam southward along the \[estern side of Soap <br />Creek Valley. The canal would intercept runoff from several small tribu- <br />taries of Soap Creek. The canal section would terminate at the intake of <br />the 8-mile long tunnel section of the conduit W'hich W'ould extend southwest <br /> <br />9 <br />