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<br />26
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<br />FRY~GPAN-AR~SAS PROJECT
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<br />35~ Mention has already been made of the acute sedimentation
<br />problem affecting irrigation in the main Arkansas Valley. At Pueblo
<br />the river annu<l.lly transportA about 944 acre-feet of sediment, Ap-
<br />proximately 42 percent of that sediment is deposited in reservoirs,
<br />canals, and laterals; about 38 percent becomes undesired deposition
<br />on the irrigated lands, Aggradation of the river channel has made
<br />some irrigation diversion str\lcturesinoperative; other diversion
<br />structures have necessarilv been raised. Removed sediment now
<br />lines some canal banks and further disposal has become very expensive.
<br />Canal sand traps have become inoperative. The only apparent
<br />immediate solution is provision of reservoir space specifically for the
<br />disposition of sediment.
<br />36. Stream pollution has not reached dangerous or serious propor-
<br />tions in the Arkansas Valley, The most noticeable effects of industrial
<br />pollution are found below Leadville as a result of mine drainage and
<br />tailingA,
<br />37, Fishing is a summer sport of considerable financial significance
<br />in the diversion area and in the upper Arkansas Valley, The Fish
<br />and Wildlife Service has prepared a preliminary report on the subject
<br />and has made tentative recommendations concerning minimum flows
<br />needed to preserve fishery values in the diversion area. The project
<br />has been, so planned and operating rules have been so formulated as
<br />to prevent the diversion of water which would reduce the flows below
<br />the specified minimum, 'Continued studies of the requirements of the
<br />fishery resources are needed to develop refinements under the terms
<br />of the operating rules,
<br />38, The mountainous portions of both slopes of the project area-
<br />and especia,!ly the diversion area-combine such desirable qualities
<br />as scenic attractiveness, wilderness character, remoteness, water for
<br />fishing, and skiing facilities. Consequently, they are important
<br />recreational areas at all seasons, The National Park ServIce has
<br />made a preliminar:y report on the project area and on the recreational
<br />aspects of the imtial development. Its recommendations will be
<br />followed to the fullest extent possible, '
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<br />PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT
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<br />39, The initial development is keyed to transmountain diversion of
<br />water from the Colorado River drainage eastward to the upper
<br />Arkansas River Valley, The diverted water and reregulated native
<br />eastern-slope water would provide for supplemental irrigation, furnish
<br />supplemental and new supplies of municipal water, and enable the
<br />generation of hydroelectric power. Other multiple-purpose aspects
<br />of the project include flood and sediment control, stream-pollution
<br />abatement, fish and wildlife conservation, and enhancement of recre-
<br />ational opportunities, All estimates, specifications, and description
<br />of features are necessarily preliminary and subject to some modifica-
<br />tion and refinement when detailed data become available.
<br />40, As a result of the diversion of water from the Colorado River
<br />Basin, this potential initial development is consistent with the purposes
<br />of the Colorado River storage project, The extent of its relationship
<br />to the upper Colorado River Basin development and to the upper
<br />Arkansas River Basin development can be more firmly established as
<br />those developments proceed, In its plan for the Colorado River
<br />storage project the Bureau of Reclamation contemplates at least six
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