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<br />FRYINGPAN-ARKANSAS PROJECT
<br />
<br />cessive cumulative stages, The initial development is planned as a
<br />completely independent multiple-purpose unit that could be the first
<br />stage of a much larger project. The comprehensive project would
<br />require exportation of a relatively large amount of Colorado ,River
<br />water eastward through the Continental Divide to the Arkansas
<br />Valley of Colorado. The full potential uses of water in western Colo-
<br />rado have not been completely determined; therefore, only the amount
<br />of water assuredly beyond the requirements for development on the
<br />, western slope is proposed for diversion at this time,
<br />5. This report and attached substantiating- report have been spon-
<br />sored and prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation for the United
<br />States Department of the Interior, Allngencies of the Department
<br />concerned with the development aud administration of resources in
<br />the project area have made important contributions. Other Federal
<br />agencies, numerous State and local governmental ag-encies, water
<br />districts, civic organizations, corporate enterprises, and private indi-
<br />viduals have given substantial aid in the development of the report.
<br />Preliminary drafts of the report were fu;rnished to the States of Colo-
<br />raaQ and Kansws, and to the field offices of affected Federal agencies.
<br />These drafts were reviewed by the two States arid at field level by the
<br />following agencies:
<br />
<br />Department of Agriculture: Department of the Interior:
<br />Forest Service Bureau of Mines
<br />Soil Conservation Service Bureau of Land Mana~ement
<br />Department of the Anuy: Fish and Wildlife SerVICe
<br />Corps of Engineers Geological Survey
<br />Federal Power Commission N wtional Park Service
<br />
<br />DESCRIPTION OF AREA
<br />
<br />PHYSICAL FEATURES
<br />
<br />6, Two distinct areas are involved in the project. They are sepa-
<br />rated by the Continental Divide, which exceeds an altitude of 12,000
<br />feet. The western slope diversion area, where transmountain water
<br />would be obtained, is located in the Roaring Fork River Basin of the
<br />Colorado River drainage, Water would be diverted from tributaries
<br />of the Fryingpan River and from Hunter Creek-both tributaries of
<br />the Roaring Fork. The diversion area is mountainous and primitive.
<br />It is located within the boundaries of the White River National
<br />Forest at elevations above 10,000 feet. Most of the 100-square-mile
<br />area is accessible only by trails,
<br />7. The easterll slope project area extends from the headwaters of
<br />the Arkansas Riv-er, near Leadville, to the Colorado-Kansas boundary.
<br />The upper reaches of the Arkansas Valley lire as rugged as the diver-
<br />sion area, The Rocky Mountains reach their highest elevation near
<br />Leadville at Mount Elbert, 14,431 feet above sea level. Close by are
<br />Mount Massive, l4,419 feet, and Mount Harvard, 14,399 feet. Elbert'
<br />and Massive are the second and third highest peaks in the continental
<br />United States. Originating high above timberline, the Arkansas
<br />River flows soutb and east-successively through canyons and foot-
<br />hills to the gently rolling high plains. Approximately 38 percent of
<br />the eastern slope iproject area is below an altitude of 5,000 feet, rela-
<br />tively level, and suitable for farming.
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