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. . . ;?,4CJ CHAPTER VII FUTURE INVESTIGATIOlfS--BlillALT PROJECT Investigations of the Basalt project to date have been of a recon- naissance nature. The project will have to be investigated to the detailed standards of a feasibility investigation before it can be rec- ommended by the Bureau of Reclamation for authorization by the Congress. The work required for a detailed investigation, as outlined in the fol- lowing paragraphs, would involve a period of about 5 years and an expend- iture of about $500,000 provided funds become available as scheduled. Detailed topographic surveys of all sites of reservoirs, storage dams, diversion dams, and major canal structures would be required for use in the preparation of preliminary designs and cost estimates. Loca- tion surveys would be needed for all water conveyance systems and road relocation routes, Detailed topography of project lands would be required for use in land classification and the planninf' of lateral systems, drain- age, and farm layout s , Detailed land classification surveys and drainage surveys would be necessary. The land classification surveys \lould include preparation of land classification maps and tabulations. The drainage surveys would consist of the study of ground >Tater and subsurface characteristics, existing drainage performance, and additional drainage requirements with project development. Farm management surveys, including studies of land ownership, size of farms, types of crops and farms, crop yields, number and types of livestock, and present and potential use of land,would be necessary, Farm budgets would have to be prepared and irrigation payment capabil- ities determined. A detailed evaluation of the overall repayment pos- sibilities >Tould be required and a payout schedule would need to be prepared. Additional water supply information, including the establishment of streamflow gaging stations, climatological stations in the project area, and diversion and return flow studies, >Tould be necessary. It would be desirable to establish stream gaging stations on Cattle, Sopris, and Prince Creeks as early as possible in order to have a maximum periOd of record available for the feasibility investigations, Past and poten- tial use of water in the project area should be analyzed through consid- eration of water rights, ditch diversions, and return flow. A detailed analysis of requirements for additional irrigation water, project water operation, and required capacities of project features would also be necessary. 47 '-