WSP00945

• File Number: 8442.400
• Description: Missouri Basin - Pick Sloan Project - Reports
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 2/28/1985
• Author: DoI, BoR
• Title: Lake Andes - Wagner Unit Planning Report / draft Enviromental Statement
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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water supply options are available, so the Missouri River is the logical

and most economical source of water for the Lake Andes-Wagner Unit.

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Local residents formed the Restore Lake Andes Association, a local action

group to promote the restoration of Lake Andes for water-based recreation

such as fishing and boating. One proposal is to restore the south section

of the lake for recreation by adding water, and use the middle and north

sections as waterfowl production areas. Ownership of the lakebed is

currently in litigation between the State of South Dakota and the Yankton

Sioux Tribe. Until the litigation is resolved, it was decided that the

potential for recreation and fish and wildlife enhancement in Lake Andes

would not be addressed in this study. However, should the ownership status

of the lakebed be resolved, there is excess capacity in the proposed proj-

ect supply works (except for peak irrigation times) to deliver water that

could be used to ,help restore and ~aintain Lake Andes.

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In the fatl of 1982, meetings were held with the irrigation

Yankton sioux Indian Tribe, and th~ State of South Dakota.

of concern were discussed with the following agreement:

district, the
Several items

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1. The irrigation district should contact all landowners within the

project area to confirm their ~nterest in receiving irrigation service.

The district requested that the project be formulated to serve as many

of these lands as economically possible. Also, the sioux Tribe should

provide a list of lands they wllnt to be considered for project service.

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2. The project boundary shoul& be limited primarily to lands within

the boundary of the 1960 detailed gravity land classification. The

east boundary of this area is Choteau Creek. If funding and time allow

considering additional lands, the land northwest of Lake Andes should

be evaluated.

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3. There is strong support for irrigation development east of Choteau

Creek. Based on the project boundary (see No. 2 above) and the goals

of the district and State, it was decided that these lands not be

included in this study. (Note, this agreement later changed. See

"Plans to Include Lands East of Choteau Creek.")

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