WSP01174

• File Number: 8449.900
• Description: South Platte Projects - Bear Creek
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Date: 1/1/1968
• Author: USACOE
• Title: Bear Creek Basin, South Platte River and Tributaries, Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska - Letter from the Secretary of the Army
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

The report points out that the Colorado Department of
Highways has delayed construction of the four-lane Colorado High-
way 70 in the sector traversing the project area to avoid the
added cost of subsequent relocation, but that, since other sectors
of the highway improvements are completed and traffic densities
dictate early completion of that sector, early consideration of the
project authorization and relocation authority would result in
subsequent savings in project funds. We wish to add that this
matter is of urgent concern to our state highway construction pro-
gram.

The Mount Carbon Dam and Reservoir is an essential element
of a comprehensive flood control system for Metropolitan Denver and
the Upper South Platte River Basin. Construction of that project,
in combination with the existing Cherry Creek project and the
Chatfield project now under construction, would provide the nec-
essary flood protection needed to permit orderly economic develop-
ment of the areas subject to damaging floods. The Colorado Depart-
ment of Game, Fish and Parks has reviewed the Bear Creek report
and concurs in the recommendations related to recreation and fish
and wildlife based upon the inclusion of Soda Lakes and acquisition
of adjacent lands as part of the project. The Department believes
that the deletion would seriously impair the recreational potential
of the area and conceivably jeopardize its proper development and
management. (See attached letters from Colorado Game, Fish and
Parks Department).

The State of Colorado concurs in the findings and recom-
mendations of your proposed report. Particular importance is
placed on the need for early authorization of the project which
should include authorization for the Chief of Engineers to reimburse
the Colorado Department of Highways for the added cost of construct-
ing Colorado Highway No. 70 along an alternate route outside the
reservoir area. The Bear Creek Valley in recent years has become a
heavily populated and commercialized area. We wish to place special
emphasis on the fact that had the June, 1965. rainstorm on Plum
Creek moved a few miles to the northwest into the Bear Creek drainage
the damages in the Denver metropolitan area would have exceeded
$500,000,000, and the loss of life probably would have been greater.

FLS:mm
Enc.

Very truly yours,

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FELIX L. SP S
Director

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