WSP02036

• File Number: 8220.128.J
• Description: Silt Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/1951
• Author: USDOI - BOR
• Title: Silt Project-Colorado - A Supplement to the Colorado River Storage Project Report - Part 1 of 2
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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CHAPTER I

GENERAL D ISCUSSIQ.NS

The remaining 21 percent of the water stored in Rifle Gap Res-
ervoir would be used for the irrigation of lands under Davie ditch,
Use of the ditch was discontinued several years ago because of the
inadequate water supply provided under its junior water right. Davie
ditch has deteriorated and VIOuld 'have to be completely reconstructed.
The new Davie ditch VIOuld head about 18 feet above dead Storage level
of the Rifle Gap Reservoir and 40 feet below the normal reservoir water
surface. A riser pipe from the outlet would supply the ditch When the
reservoir water level was high enough to cause gravity flow. At lower
reservoir stages the water would be lifted to the ditch by a hydraulic
turbine-driven pump. The .turbine would be propelled by water released
for lands in lower Rifle Creek Valley.

Although essentially an irriga~ion development, the Silt project
would provide some sedirrent control, enhance recreational development,
and .aid in fish and wildlife conservation. The project would have no
effect on municipal and industrial water supplies, navigation, Dr
stream pollution abatement. Hydroelectric power developae nt in c on-
nection with the project would be infeasible. There are no Indian
lands in the area.

The plan for the Silt project is correlated with a broad plan for
development of the land and water resources of the Upper Colorado
River Basin. The project is among the first developments recomnended
by States of the Upper Colorado River Basin for participation in the
benefits and revenues of the Colorado River Storage project, the master
project in the plan for upper basin development. Additiortal information
on the re lation of the project to the storage project is given in the
Bureau of Reclama Uon Report of December 1950, en titled Colorado River
Storage Pro~ect ~ Particfpating Pro~ects.

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Physical Geogra12hl

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The project area is bound on the west by Rifle Creek, on the north
by the White River Plateau, on the east by Elk Creek, and on the south
by the Colorado River. The dominant structural features of the area,
Grand Hogback and \lhite River Plateau, are a result of thrust faulting.
Grand Hogback is in a zone of folding and falllting v.hich extends for
nearly 200 miles from Gunnison to north of Meeker. The hogback consists
of steeply dipping sandstone flanked on either side by easily eroded
shale. The hogback begins 30 miles south of Glenwood Springs and ex-
tends northward to be cut by the Colorado River at New Castle. From
her e it extends northwest acros s the pro ject ar ea, reaching elevations
of 9,000 feet. The narrow gorges where streams have pierced the hogback
make attractive dam and reservoir sites. TheYfuite River Plateau is a
Pfoduct of the uplift that formed the steep dips of Grand Hog'Dack at its
margin. The plateau, a: domal uplift 30 to 50 miles across, includes
headwaters of Rifle (:reek.

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