WSP01441

• File Number: 8407.500
• Description: Platte River Basin - River Basin General Publications - Missouri River
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 12/1/1971
• Author: Missouri Basin Inter
• Title: Missouri River Basin Comprehensive Framework Study-Volume VII-Plan of Development and Management-Appendix
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

desirable. The fundamental reason for such an approach
is that every water resource investment affects a variety
of social objectives, even if designed to attain only one.
Since many objectives can be affected by a resource
development investment, the prudent course of action is
to select those of most importance, and then determine
which pattern of investments can best achieve some
desired combination in the public interest.
Three general planning objectives were adopted.
These are designated as: (I) national economic
efficiency; (2) regional socio-economic developmen t;
and (3) preservation and enhancement of the quality of
the environment. These objectives permit a compre-
hensive approach to the formulation of subbasin and
basinwide investment patterns. The national objective is
oriented primarily toward programs that would provide
the greatest net return in goods and services on a
national scale. Although this objective does provide a
measure of well-being of people and an economic basis
for investments, it is also a useful aid in assessing the
extent of departure from this objective to meet other
objectives that are in the regional and local interest.
F or the regional objective, consideration was given in
plan formulation toward achieving a regional pattern of
desirable economic and social developmen t. Within the
third objective, it was recognized that environmental
considerations are generally interwoven in all planning
objectives. However, in order to assess significant
environmental opportunities, especially those dealing
with preservation and esthetic considerations, plan alter-
natives maximizing this objective were formulated. This
approach makes it possible to assess the goods and
services gained and foregone to achieve certain environ-
mental objectives. More specific regional and subregional
objectives are outlined in ch:1pter 7.
The framework plan and significant and meaningful
alternatives to the framework presented herein were
formulated to meet the general objectives outlined.
Judgments relative to the elements of the framework
plan were made on the basis of options available and
those which would produce a desirable and attainable
combination to meet the objectives outlined.

6

STUDY AREAS

Water resources planning, of necessity, must be
associated with manageable sources and uses of water
supply, both surface and underground. For purposes of
this study, the Missouri River basin has been divided into
eight subbasins representing hydrologic areas drained by
designated major tributaries or groups of tributaries of
the Missouri River, and including certain closed basins.
In addition, a terminal analysis was made to assess the
probable effects on the Missouri River from develop-
ment in the eight tributary areas, and thus to determine
how the main stem water could be used to meet future
requirements. Figure I shows the subbasin boundaries.
While water management must be associated with
hydrologically defined areas, the planning effort is
concerned also with socio-economic considerations.
Socio-economic data are available only for politically
defined coun ties and Standard Metropolitan Statistical
Areas (SMSA's). Seldom do county boundaries conform
to hydrologic boundaries. The basin or region, therefore,
was divided also into subregions defined along political
lines and following generally the subbasin boundaries. In
general, the nomenclature of subbasin and subregional
areas is, for all practical purposes, the same.

STUDY ORGANIZATION

The framework plan formulation was accomplished
under the direction of a Water and Related Land
Resource Development Work Group consisting of one
representative each from the Federal Departments and
States having overall coordination and policy respon-
sibilities, and by eight planning task forces each
responsible for the actual planning in a subbasin. Input
data for their use were furnished by other echelons
within the overall study organization. These inputs
included data from an economic analyses and projec-
tions study, estimates of present and future demands
and needs, hydrologic analyses, and inventories of land
resources. The organizational structure is shown on
figure 2 together with lists of individuals involved in
prepara tion of the framework plan.