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O[)G573 UC-700 2/28/73 Prel iminary SunJjJary Sheets West Divide Project location West-central Colorado in Upper Colorado River Basin Authorized September 30, 1968 - Public Law 90-537, Current Status Advance planning studies have not yet been initiated on the West Divide Project. Funds \'lere appropriated in FY 1973 and apportioned for use in beginning in the 4th quarter. However, these funds have now been \-lithdra"n so that initiation of advance planning studies have been deferred. The FY 1974 program of S100,OOO, based on carryover from other advance plar,ning funds in FY 1973. is to be used to determine the effect of the project on the salinity of the Colorado River and to estimate the cost for facilities to offset salinity effects of the project. . In FY 1972 local interests and the State of Colorado contributed fU!lds in the amount of $30,000 for use by the Bureau to support due diligence in the development of water rights by conducting studies to dete~ine alter- nate routes for Huntsman and Founnile Canals and alternate sites for Yank Creek and Haystack Reservoirs. These studies were initiated late in FY 1972 and are scheduled to be completed in FY 1973. Total investigation costs to June 30, 1972, including feasibility and advance planning, amount to Sl,011.506. II Advance planning studies, when initiated. will include a comprehensive evaluation of changing physical conditicns and priorities. with special emphasis on oil shale to meet energy demands. that have occurred since corrpletion of the authorizing report in order to arrive at a selected plan of development. Plan (Same as presented to Congress in Feasibility Studies) The West Divide Project is planned primarily to provide water for irriga- tion and for municipal and industrial use in connection '"Hh development of local oil shale reserves. It also would provide benefits to recreation, fish and wildlife. and flood control. Project wilter would be obtained from a series of Colorado River tributaries south of the river. Crystal River flows would be regulated at Placita Reservoir. Some reservoir releases would be made directly to the river for downstrean uses. Most of the releases. however, would be diverted into the Huntsman Canal and conveyed \','esb:ard to ~:est Divide Creek for subsequent distribution in the western portion of the project area by the East ar.d West Divide Canals. The diverted flows would be supplemented by water stored in Haystack Reservoir on sraall tributaries of ~est Divide Creek. Natural flol\:s at Haystack Reservoir would be augmented by flo\'/s of nearby