WSP01884

• File Number: 8220.100.25
• Description: CRSP
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 10/1/1949
• Author: CWCB
• Title: Minutes of Series of State-Wide Meetings Sponsored by the Colorado Water Conservation Board - Discussion on Interim Report of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on CRSP
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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Judge Stone commented that the {nterim report on the proposed project pro-
vides a suggested framework for an ~~teerated, comprehensive plan of ' development
for the Upper Basin. He then asked,~r. Cole for comments.

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l,ir,. Cole statelil that he was pr~sent at the meeting merely as an observer, and
that California was 'taking no stand'fon the proposed project at this time.

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Mr. Lar&on explained the plan 'of the project in general, emphasizing the
necessity for'holdoter storage on the main stem of the Colorado River in order
that the Upper Basin could fully u~e 7,500,000 acre feet annually during periods
of low flow and still deliver the ~ame amount to the Lower Basin. Water may need
to be held over for '20 or 25 years} in order to make such delivery and use possible.
Evaporation losses ~ust be considered and those reservoir sites indicating the
minimUm of su~h los$es must be considered in the selection of possible sites.

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Nine reservoirs have been tentatively suggested in order to accomplish the
plan for holdover storage and power production: Flaming Gorge, Echo Park, Cross
Mountain, Split Mou~tain, Gray Canyon, Bridgeport, Crystal, Curecanti and Glen
Canyon. Beside pro~iding regulation, these sites would develop approximately
1,700,000 IDl of eleetrical energy. Thus the location of power markets is a major
factor in the selection of the sites.

The Upper Basi~ Compact provides for the pooling of evaporation losses and
in turn holdoyer storage. Sediment retention is a major problem, especially on
the San Juan River.' Sediment control in Glen Canyon \vould protect LOIver Basin
reservoirs.

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Under the proje~t plan the revenues from the sale of this energy would be
placed in an tIpper .colorado River Development Account. After paying the costs
of the main stern reservoirs properly allocable to p~fer, the surplus revenues
plus the interest component from the capital investment would be applied to the
payment of construction costs of participating irrigation projects which would be
beyond the ability of the water users to repay. To qualify for such participa-
tion the projects must meet certain criteria. They must shOt'f benefits at least
equal to costs, be able to repay operation, maintenance and replacement costs,
and be able to pay something towards reimburseable construction costs.

These projects" must be selected by the states from a number on which detail
reports are aVailab~e. After final suggestions from the states the plan will be
submitted to Congrej:ls. The plan submitted may differ somewhat from the one here
presented. D.rillir(jS is still going on at some sites and estimates of costs are
being prepared on o~hers.

Echo Park res;,ervoir has been tentatively selected by the Bureau as one of
the first scheduled for construction. The dam will be of concrete construction,
520 feet above thelltream bed, with installed generating capacity of 2OO;00G1r "Ii
The reservoir will ,have a capacity of 6,460,000 acre feet.

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