WSP00582

• File Number: 8220.116.A
• Description: Fruitland Mesa Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Gunnison
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 1/1/1981
• Title: Summary Sheet - Fruitland Mesa Project - January 1981
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Project Overview

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Fruitland Mesa proiect

~2j;ATIOB

The Fruitland Hesa Project is located in west-
<:eutral Colorado in the Gunnison River Basin of t:he
Upper Colorado River Basin.

PURPOSE

The project would develop unused water supplies from
Soap, Curecanti, and Crystal Creeks for irrigation
of supplemental and full service land between the
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument and
the town of Crawford. Benefits would also be
provided for recreation, fish, and wildlife.

STATUS

The Fruitland Mesa Project ~vas authorized for can"
struction September 2, 1964 (Public Law 88-568) as
a participating project under the Colorado River
Storage Project Act of April 11, 1956 (Public Law
84-485). A Definite Plan Report was completed in
June 1967. Because of changes in plan, costs, and
benefits) the Definite Plan Report has been re-
vised and submitted to the Commissioner for approval.
The Draft Env:l.romnental Statement was filed with the
Council on EnviroAmental Quality September 3, 1976.
and the Final Environmental Statement was filed
March 25, 1977. I~ 1977. the President reconm~nded
deletion of constt'uetion funds for this project.
The budget author:tty for FY77 was rescinded, and
funds have not ~een appropriated since that time.

A rE'.payment contnH;t w5.th the Fruitland Mesa Water
Conservancy I'Iistrj.ct ~M:'.l signed ill 1969. Archaeo-
logical 8ul:vey~ o( the project area were conducted
in 1975 aud 1976. Designs for the Soap Park Access
Road w'ere prepared by a consulting engineering firm
in accordance with a contract awarded in 1976.

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January 1981
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PLAN

Project water would be obtained from Soap, Curecanti,
and Crystal Creeks. Regulation of project water
supplies would be provided at the potential Milly K.
Goodwin Lake formed by Soap Park Darn ou Soap Creek
and at the existing Gould Reservoir on Iron Creek.

Releases from Milly K. Good~vin Lake ~vould be conveyed
about 10.6 miles by the Black Mesa Conduit to the
head of the Fruitland Canal near Crystal Creek.
Along its course, the conduit would intercept natural
flows of Curecanti Creek. The Fruitland Canal would
be 18.8 miles long. It would distribute flows
received from the Black Mesa Conduit as well as flows
of Crystal Creek Diversion Dam. The canal would pro-
vide water to several turnouts, the six largest being
to: (1) Dyer Creek, a tributary of Crystal Creek,
for diversion from Crystal Creek downstream into the
Crystal Valley Ditch for irrigation of lands along
that stream; (2) the existing Dyer Fork Ditch for
irrigation of lands above Gould Reservoir; (3) the
Catt1emanTs Ditch for irrigation of presently
irrigated lands below Gould Reservoir; (4) turnout
to provide storage water to Gould Reservoir; (5)
Castle Canyon, a natural channel which would convey
water directly to the existing Gould Canal; and (6)
Poison Spririgs) a natural channel that would carry
flows to the lands between the Gould Canal and Poison
Springs Draw. Minor turnouts ,from the canal would
be made directly to project lands and to distribu-
tion laterals. Sections of the Gould Canal west
of Castle Canyon would be enlarged by the owners.
Two siphons in the canal have already been replaced
by the Water and Power Resources Service under a
construction contract.

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