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Physical data and estimated reconnaissance construction costs of the principal features in the unit are shown below. Estimated Height of Installed construction Dam and power- dam above Reservoir capacity generating cost of dam and plant or other streambed (acre-feet) capacity powerplants feature (feet) Total Active (kilowatts) (July 1954 prices) Blue llesa 350 940,000 740,000 51,000 $36,500,000 Narrow Gl.uge 135 8,000 1,000 18,000 9,100,000 Morrow Point 260 82,000 42,000 60,000 20,700,000 Crystal 155 9,000 1,000 23,000 10,700,000 Transmis,,;ion system 1l.500.000 Total 900 1,039,000 784,000 152,000 88,500,000 Operation, maintenance, and replacement costs for the unit are est:lmated at a total of $863,000 annually. Stream depletion (reservoir evaporation) attributable to develop- ment of the unit would total approximately 17,000 acre-feet annually. An average of approximately 645,000,000 kilowatt-hours of energy deliveraole to power load centers after allowing for transmission losses would be produced annually. Of the total, about 213,000,000 kilowatt- hours wollld be produced at the Blue Mesa powerplant. Idarket studies show that the potential power could be marketed within a reasonable period after cmrrpletion of construction. The plan is adaptable to scheduling construc',ion of the dams and powerplants to conform in general with growing market conditions. The most practical initial construction of the unit would probably include the Blue Mesa Dam (Curecanti Reservoir) and pov.e:~plant with the other dams and powerplants added later consistent with power load growth. All of the flows of the Gurmison River would not be controlled by the reservoirs of the lUIit. Flows of flood magnitude, however, could be reduced and much of the flood damage along the river under present condi- tions would be reduced. The Corps of Engineers has tentatively estimated that flood control benefits would amount to $10,000 armually. The National Park Service has tentatively estimated that the recreational value of Cure- canti Reservoir would amount to about $20,000 annually if adequate recre- ational facilities were provided. No evaluation of the recreational potentiaEties of the other three reservoirs has been made. The Fish and Wildlife Service is presently studying effects of the potential develop- ment on fish and wildlife values. No monetary appraisal has yet been made, but the studies made by the Service to date indicate that the development would have an adverse effect on present fish and wildlife values. The Service is therefore opposed to the development. 2