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<br />COLORADO WATER CONSERVATION BOARD <br />823 State Centennial Building <br />1313 Sherman Street <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 <br /> <br />November, 1977 <br /> <br />BASALT PROJECT <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />The town of Basalt is located in the southwest corner of <br /> <br />Eagle county. It is on State Highway 82, approximately midway <br /> <br />between Aspen and Glenwood Springs. The town was founded by people <br /> <br />in, or related to, the coal mining industry. In 1882, charcoal <br /> <br />kilns were constructed there for making charcoal from the mined <br /> <br />coal. The Midland Railroad carne to the Roaring Fork Valley in the <br /> <br />late 1880's and provided growth impetus for several years. <br /> <br />Basalt was incorporated in 1901 and experienced some growth <br /> <br />until after World War I, when the Midland Railroad shut down due to <br /> <br />lack of hauling orders. It declined to its lowest population of <br /> <br />148 in the year 1930 and since then has grown sporadically to the <br /> <br />present population of approximately 900. Skiing and coal mining are <br /> <br />the predominant industries in the surrounding areas today. <br /> <br />PROBLEM <br /> <br />Basalt is experiencing considerable growth pressure related to <br /> <br />the rapid expansion occurring in Aspen, Snowmass, and other parts <br /> <br />of the Roaring Fork Valley. The present water system is barely able <br /> <br />23S9 <br />