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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Alternative 1 was based on the same canal route used in formulating the

35,000-acre project mentioned above. The main canal for Alternative 1

would begin at elevation 1500 at the end of the North Bay Pumping Plant

discharge line and maintain an elevation higher than the irrigated lands

wherever possible. At Ravinia, the canal would fork--the north branch

would serve lands northeast of Ravinia and the south branch would serve

lands in the southeastern section of the project area. Two relift pumping

plants would be required for a total of about 5,600 acres which are above

the elevation of the main canal. Because the canal would sever a signifi-

cant amount of non-project lands, this alternative was unacceptable as

discussed above (also see appended letters). However, it was included in

the formulation process for comparison purposes and to allow public comment

on its acceptability. Consideration was given to providing water for the

severed lands, or to buying severed farms in their entirety. The severed

lands are mostly non-irrigable, and few of the owners of these lands are

interested in being included in the project. The cost of buying severed

farms in their entirety would far exceed the extra cost of the preferred

plan, and such costs were not included in the cost estimate for Alternative 1.

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In Alternative 2, the main canal would follow the abandoned Milwaukee

Railroad as much as possible. This route, suggested by local people, would

minimize the severing of non-project lands, but would require relifting most

of the water for the irrigated, lands with a major relift pumping plant, and

it would also pass through the Red Lake Game Production Area, causing

significant adverse environmental effects. Because of the marginal econo-

mics and the substantial environmental concerns, this alternative is also

unacceptable.

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In Alternative 3, the Preferred Plan, the first 10 miles of the main canal
would be the same as in Alternative 1. However, instead of branching at
Ravinia, the main canal would pass on the south side of Ravinia and follow
the highway east about 1.5 miles before branching. The north branch would
serve lands in the northern part of the unit following the same route as in
Plan 1. The other branch would proceed east and south serving lands in the
southeastern part of the unit. This plan would require three relift plants
for about 11,500 acres, but would avoid the Red Lake Refuge. Although this

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