WSP01521

• File Number: 8443.400
• Description: Narrows Unit Reports
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 6/15/1974
• Author: US DOL BOR
• Title: Draft Social Assessment of the Proposed Narrows Unit and Alternatives Thereto
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

0360

In all, there are 10 communities and towns contained
in this area. The valley can be characterized as largely
agricultural in its economic activity, with some limited
government, business, industrial and services actLvity. By
and large, the land is flat, with some hills associated with
the meanderings of the South Platte River and miscellaneous
creeks. Farms are located along the river basin wherefrom

many secure water for irrigation purposes under tightly con-

trolled water conservancy management. The most prominent _

agricultural feature of the area is its high dependence on

irrigation for crops and some livestock; the area is quite

arid and subject to droughts and, on occasion, flash flooding

from various creeks and the South Platte River.

Moving from west to east, the communities which are

considered to be directly affected by the decision of whether

or not to build a darn in the area include: Greeley (population,

38,902 according to the 1970 census), Kersey (population, 474),

Hardin, Orchard, Goodrich, Weldona (population 646), Wiggins

(population 1,7781, Fort Morgan (population, 7,5941, Brush

(population, 3,777), and Sterling (population, 10,636). The

Census does not report population figures for Hardin, Orchard

or Goodrich, but these three places together have fewer than

500 persons. Thus, the total population potentially subject

to direct social impact by the decision is just over 64,000.

If we omit the two cities at the western and eastern extreme

of the impact area, which are going to be least affected and

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