PROJ00474

• Contract/PO #: FS0005x
• Contractor Name: Central Colorado Water Conservancy District
• County: El Paso
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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LOCAL INTEREST

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The local landowners downstream of these reservoirs were very
concerned when the structures were lost for flood control protection.
Several groups approached Central to begin a coordinated effort to
rehabilitate the three dams.

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Landowners on Box Elder Creek generally are engaged in irrigated
agriculture, and fear a loss of lives and property if a large flood event
occurs upstream. Therefore, they are hopeful that the conservancy district
will be able to organize a local, state, or federal effort to provide the
needed flood protection. Central may also be able to utilize recharge
water that would be available after storage of flood flows in the
structures.

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The Colorado Department of Highways has expressed a strong interest in
rehabili tating Bootleg and Klug Reservoirs in order to provide flood
protection for Colorado Highway 52, U. S. Highway 34, and for Interstate
76. They stated in their letter of December 4, 1986 (Appendix D) that
their ". initial review of the information indicates that
reconstruction of the reservoirs would have beneficial impacts on highways
52, I-76, and 34."

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The Henrylyn Irrigation District is the owner of Bootleg Reservoir.
Floods. on Box Elder Creek will probably cause substantial damage to the
Denver Hudson Canal, necessary to serve over 30,000 irrigated acres in the
Henrylyn District. In addition, flood waters captured in Bootleg Reservoir
provide a supplemental source of supply for the district.

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The individuals who own Klug and Ireland #5 Reservoirs need flood
protection from these two reservoirs. The owners of Ireland #5 Reservoir
also use captured flood flows as supplemental supply. The owner of Klug
Reservoir reports improved water table elevations when K1ug is full. He
also wishes to use his storage decree as part of an augmentation plan for
his wells.

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It should be noted that the proposed Denver International Airport
would be located less than ten miles south of Bootleg Reservoir near Box
Elder Creek. This enormous facility would increase storm water runoff in
the basin, and could also create water quality concerns. Although we do
not know the potential impact of this project, it undoubtedly will affect
flood events in the drainage area.

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