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00 o lr:l .-.j SYNOPSIS ". This report appraises three scales of development--comprehensive, in- termediate, and small--as indications of future water resource potentiali- ties for the Upper Gunnison River Basin in west-central Colorado. The re- port shovs that development in the basin would be economically justified and future feasibility investigations are warranted. Of the plans appraised the small development appears to be the most desirable but additional stu~ is required before a definite plan of development can be selected. The three developments outlined in this report have been appraised as potential participating projects of the Colorado River Storage project. The comprehensive and intermediate developments would provide for irriga- tion, hydroelectric power production, fish and wildlife, and recreation. The small development would serve all of these purposes except power pro- duction. Under the comprehensive plan irrigation would be provided for both existing and new farm units while in the other plans irrigation would be provided only for presently irrigated lands and undeveloped areas that could be farmed in conjunction with existing units. Pertinent data on the three plans are summarized below. Comprehensi ve Intermediate Small development development development Irrigation service area (acres) Full service 26,560 15,580 7,490 Supplemental service 19.010 18 .690 17.760 Total 45,570 34,270 25,250 Power development Installed capacity (kw.) 22,200 22,200 Average annual generation (1,000 kw.-hrs.) 76,236 76,236 Costs Construction costs $41,603,800 $36,720,900 $7,079,500 Annual operation, mainte- nance, and replacement costs $178,600 $170,200 $65,040 Benefits Total benefits $2,132,200 $1.757.200 $683,400 Direct benefits $1.601.200 $1.421.200 $441.700 Benefit-cost ratios Total benefits 1. 29 : 1 1.20:1 2.05:1 Direct benefits only 0.97:1 0.97:1 1.32:1 For each of the three plans analyzed, construction costs allocated to irrigation could be paid in 50 years from payments by the irrigators. ad valorem tax revenues, and revenues from the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund. At present rates for sale of Colorado River Storage project power. payment of power construction costs would require about 60 years under the comprehensi ve plan and about 68 years under the intermediate plan. Under House Resolution 9032. 88th Congress. all recreation and fish and wildlife construction costs of the comprehensive development would be nonreimburs- able. A portion of the fish and wildlife and recreation construction costs of the intermediate and small developments would be reimbursable and some means for paying these costs would be required.