WSPC04144 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

" 000359 -19- WHEREAS, it storage and pmver initial F~servcir appears to us that it is necessary that one of the proposed Reservoirs should be constructed on the Gunnison Hiver as an .; '" o~;.-1 T'\...,......_~_. .......~ -... ................. 1'.....0.........14' ~....... WHEREAS, it is our considered opinion that the Currecanti Reservoir has the following substantial advantages over the construction of the Vfhitewater Reservoir: (a) That it will store approximately three times as much water at twice the cost. (b) That it is the key to the development of the Gunnison River in that neither the Vfhitewater Reservoir nor the proposed Crystal Creek Reservoir can de- ,clop their rated capacities nor furnish firm power until the said Currecanti ~eservoir is constructed. (c) That upon its construction the Currecanti Reservoir will produce its full rated electrical energy 1vithout the necessity of constructing additional R~servoirs later. (d) That it is an important integral part of the circuit of power plants pro- posed in connection ,vith the hold-over storage program. (e) That the percentage of evaporation loss vale_ be considerably less at the higher elevation of Currecanti than the evaporation loss of the Vfhitewater Reser- voir downstream. (f) That it will furnish a higher rate of power revenue for the construction of necessary and vital participating projects at an earlier date and in larger amount than a smaller, lower elevation Reservoir such as lihitewater, dependent upon a fluctuating water supply. (g) That the storage of water in the head waters of the Gunnison will tend to firm the irrigation decrees on the River belavl the Reservoir and will result in an effective flood control in the Lower Basin of the Gunnison River. (h) That the construction of the Currecanti Reservoir will make it possible to apply greater quantities of water to beneficial uses in the area affected and many years earlier. And WHEREAS, the members of these organizations realize that the construction of the Currecanti Reservoir would require the reconstruction of Highway No. 50; would require the payment for privately 01vned lands and Resorts; and would require a change in type of fishing and recreation on the Gunnison River. We also realize that the construction of the Whitewater neservoir would require the relOCAtion of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad; would also require the acquisition of privately owned lands and fruit orchards and because of the low elevation would produce a Lake having very little recreational value. On the other hand, it is our firm belief that a Lake of the size and at the elevation of Currecanti Reser- voir would be a valuable recreational asset to the area above and below said Reservoir site; and