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<br />. <br /> <br />.. <br /> <br />n~'~' I <br />UuO:~ <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />CURECA....'"I'I STORAGE UNIT <br />COLORADO RIVER STORAGE PROJECT <br /> <br />. <br />" <br /> <br />Thc.CurccaneL-Unie-ia-oQc-of-the-fo~r-in1tial-unita-of-the-Coloraoo-Aiver <br /> <br />Storage Project authorized by P.L. 485 on April 11, 1956 (70 Stat 105). <br /> <br />ThLs unLt is located in Western Colorado 1n GunnisoQ and Montrose Counties <br /> <br />on the Gunnison River, a tributary of the Colorado River. <br /> <br />The plan consists of three dams, reservoirs, and powcrplaoc5 along a <br /> <br />40~ile canyon section of the Gunnison River between the towus of Gunnison <br /> <br />and Montrose. Colorado. <br /> <br />This unit provides for power generation at each of the three dams, regulates <br /> <br />the flow of tho Gunnison River, provides flood control and irrigation benefits. <br /> <br />and provides extensive recreation benefits. Over 750,000 visitors used the <br /> <br />recreation facilities at Blue Mesa and Y~rrow Point lakes during the 1971 <br /> <br />recreation season. <br /> <br />Ninety-four percent of these were non-local. <br /> <br />Blue Mesa Dam and Reservoir creates a reservoir of 940,800 acre-feet. <br /> <br />Blue Mesa Powerplaot has a capacity of 60,000 kw. Construction of these <br /> <br />features was started in April 1962 and completed in February 1968. <br /> <br />The current program includes approximately $900,000 for purchase of <br /> <br />flood easements and right-of-way above the Blue Mesa Reservoir. In <br /> <br />recent years prior to last year, ice jams resulted in flooding along <br /> <br />the Gunnison River from the upper limits of Blue Mesa Reservoir <br /> <br />upstream about 6 miles toward the town of Gunnison, Colorado. The <br /> <br />river bed in that section is relatively flat with ~ny separate <br /> <br />channels interspersed with trees and brush. Ice jams occurred'in <br />. <br /> <br />this area prior to the construction of Blue Mesa Reservoir, but it <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />( <br /> <br />. <br /> <br /> <br />J= <br />