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"",", en If) ~ CHAPTER I GENERAL INFORMATION Mea Needs New municipal and domestic water supplies are needed to keep pace with the population growth in the Upper Gunnison Valley, particularly in the vicinity of the city of Gunnison and Crested Butte, and to replace the existing supply for the city of Gunnison. Ranches in Gunnison Valley presently obtain their domestic water sup- plies from individual springs and wells, whereas the city of Gunnison has a piped municipal system supplied from six wells within the city limits. The water level in these wells is dropping each year with the increased usage due to the population growth and the decrease in irrigated lands that contribute to the ground water supply. The lower water table results in increasing pumping costs and maintenance problems. The most critical time is in the spring when the water table reaches its seasonal low before irrigation in the valley begins. The uncertainty of a continued dependable supply from the wells and the anticipated continued population increase have led the city of Gunnison to explore methods of developing a firm water supply from the Gunnison River and of maintaining the wells for fire and emergency purposes. In January 1965 the city reCluested the Bureau of Reclamation to investigate methods of replacing and increasing its present supply. The city has a decree for 77 cubic feet of water per second from the Gunnison River and the water is of excellent Cluality. The town of Crested Butte and the Crested Butte ski area have devel- oped water systems and obtain their water supplies from streams, springs, and wells. Needs for additional water are anticipated for new residential developments. One developer for recreational homes south of Crested Butte, the Crested Butte Land Company, has expressed an interest in obtaining its nnmicipal and domestic water from project development. The company's development plan contains 1,339 sites for homes and a golf course. Initial development has commenced with the partial construction of streets and a sewer system. The development company anticipates that most of the con- struction will be completed by 1990. Agricultural production is dependent on irrigation since rainfall is not ample for production of sufficient Cluantities of hay or pasture for successful ranch operations. Existing irrigation supplies are adeCluate during the initial half of the irrigation season but fall short of the reCluirements later in the season, particularly in low water years. Pres- ently irrigated lands have an average annual water shortage of about 25 percent. The demand for recreational opportunities is rapidly increasing in the Upper Gunnison River Basin. The growing use of facilities is illus- trated by an increase of about 70 percent in the visitations at Blue Mesa Reservoir between 1969 and 1971. New water surfaces and recreation areas are necessary to meet the needs anticipated for the future. 8