C153354 Feasibility Study - Laserfiche WebLink

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CHAPTER IX CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS General . In the preceding Chapters only one physical plan was proposed or discussed. There are several alternate plans, these alternates are: to do nothing and operate the Buckeye Reservoir Dam as it has been operated since the completion of the dam in 1913; reconstruct the Buckeye Reservoir Dam in accordance with the Water Shed Investigation Report dated February, 1968 as prepared by the Soil Conservation Service; construct a 1,890 acre foot reservoir which would have 1,600 active acre feet of storage and 290 acre feet for a conservation pool; or use the plan prepared in this report. Alternate No.1, to operate the reservoir in its existing condition, is not prac- tical for reasons previously outlined in this report. Alternate No.2, construct the reservoir in accordance with the 1968 Water Shed Investigation Report is not practical as there is not a sufficient water supply to fill the reservoir to gain adequate benefits. Alternate No.3, provide a 290 acre foot conservation pool, would require an additional $25,000.00 in construction funds and $25,000.00 amor- tized over 40 years at a 3% interest rate would require an additional annual pay- ment of $1,081.50 which would cost the irrigators an additional $0.13 per share. Even though the additional $0.13 per share would not create an undue hardship on the irrigators, the irrigators would not only not receive any benefit from the addi- tional payment but would also be deprived of 290 acre feet of storage water until such time as 1,890 acre feet of water was available in the Buckeye Reservoir drainage area. The Paradox Valley Canal and Reservoir Company would consider providing a 290 acre foot conservation pool if funds for the additional cost of construction could be obtained from the Division of Wildlife. At a Board of Directors meeting held on January 30, 1981 a resolution was passed to provide an additional 290 acre foot of conservation pool provided that the top 290 acre,feet of stored water would be the property of the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, until such time as the Buckeye Reservoir had filled and spilled and at that time, the bot- tom 290 acre foot of water would become the property of the Department of Natural ~ Resources, Division of Wildlife, for a conservation pool. Conclusions A real need for the proposed construction of the Buckeye Reservoir Dam has been demonstrated in this report and the cost of constructing the improvements, $4.05 per irrigated acre per year, are well within the recommended water charge of $5.12 per irrigated acre per year. Recommendations It has been recommended that the Paradox Valley Canal and Reservoir Company con- tinue on its course to have this Feasibility Study presented to the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and secure funds from the Colorado Water Conservation Board in I~l