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I I I 7. 1 GENERAL I I I I I 7.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS None of the items addressed during this feasibility study would preclude construction of a water supply project on Snowball Creek. Prior to final design, several issues beyond the scope of this study will have to be addressed. The major obstacle will be obtaining funding. Another concern will be successful negotiation with property owners for the pipeline, canal, and access road right-of-way. A further concern is purchasing the property to be inundated by the reservoir. Construction of the project will require a Forest Service Special Use Permit and approval of the plans and specifications by the Office of the State Engineer. 7.2 CONCLUSIONS I I I I I I I I I I I 1. Based on the level of this study, there are no maj or geotechnical problems that would preclude the construction of the dam or appurtenances. 2. Unless other developments were willing to commit money to the project, Pagosa Springs and Archuleta Water Company would be the only beneficiaries of the water project. 3. The size of the reservoir required to meet the water needs of Pagosa Springs is dependent on the future population increase and the assumptions used in the operations study. The reservoir sized herein was based on estimated depletions from senior water rights operated during the 1977 drought year. The annual water yield during 1977 was the lowest recorded for over 50 years of record. Even with the proposed reservoir size of 2,900 acre-feet, the reservoir could be too small. A question still remains regarding Indian water rights for domestic and stock watering purposes because these rights have not been fully adjudicated. Under a worse case assumption of a base flow in the river similar to what existed at the time the reservation was established, there would be insufficient water to meet all demands during winter months. 7-1