WSPC07691

• File Number: 8200.760
• Description: Colorado River - Colorado River Basin - Yampa General Publications/Correspondence/Reports
• State: CO
• Basin: Yampa/White
• Water Division: 6
• Date: 1/8/1972
• Title: Lower Yampa Project - Juniper Dam Site, Looking Downstream
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

LOWER YAMPA PROJECT, COLORADO

The Lower Yampa Project, formerly identified as the Juniper and Great North-
ern Units of the Yampa-White Project, is a potential participating project of the
Colorado River Storage Project. 'It was given priority in the completion of a
planning report by the Colorado River Basin Project Act of September 30, 1968.

The project would control the flood flows of the area's streams for environ-
mental protection. It would create outdoor recreation opportunities, improve the
habitat for fish and wildlife, provide dependable water supplies for municipal,
industrial, and irrigation use, generate energy at a hydroelectric powerplant, and
control stream pollution. By these means it would provide for the economic growth
of the area. It would attract industry and population to a pollution-free envi-
ronment, helping to reverse the trend toward overcrowding of urban areas.

Project investigations in feasibility scope were begun in January 1969 and
are scheduled to be completed in 1974. Although the development plan is not yet
firm, it will likely include Juniper Reservoir on the Yampa River below Craig,
California Park Reservoir on Elkhead Creek, and Rampart Reservoir on Fortifica-
tion Creek, both above Craig, and Jubb Reservoir on Jubb Creek near Axial. It
will also include water distribution and drainage sY9tems. Locations of prospec-
tive facilities are shown on the accompanying map.

Juniper Reservoir would probably have a capacity of 1.5 to 2.0 million acre-
feet. About 40 percent of the capacity would be maintained as a permanent pool
for fish and wildlife, recreation, and power head. The reservoir shoreline of
over.200 miles would compare with a shoreline of 275 miles at Flaming Gorge Res-
ervoir-which in 1969 had 1,156,000 visitors.

California Park Reservoir, with a probable capacity of 35,000 to 40,000 acre-
feet and Rampart Reservoir at 6,000 to 10,000 acre-feet, would also have permanent
pools. Their picturesQue settings and clear waters would be especially attractive
to recreationists who love boating, water skiing, and fishing.

Stream stabilization resulting from reservoir operations would reduce flood
damage and stream pollution. An example of possible stabilization of the Yampa
River flow is shown graphically below.

4,000
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'" 2,000

FLOWS BELOW JUNIPER DAM SITE

ITHOUT PROJECT

"WITH PROJECT

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..........

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MONTH

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