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

CHA PI'EE I

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

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Comnunity Needs

Further development of agricultural resources of the area is de-
pendent upon an adequate irrigation water supply at reasonable cost..
Unless provided with additional water, the fertile agricultural lands
of the area can never reach full producti vi ty.

lnvestigations

Investigation of possible irrigation and power developments in
the Silt project area and other sections of western Colorado was
undertaken as a Public Works project (F.P. No. 40) under an allotment
of $150,000 appropriated Wlder the National Industrial Recovery Act
of June l6, 1933. The investigation was undertaken as a study of
possible irrigation and power development in the State of COlorado,
particularly in that portion west of the Continental Divide. Acting
in cooperation with the State Planning Conmission, the Bureau of
Reclamation investigated irrigated areas where there was an acute need
for supplemental water. Studies of the Silt project were initiated
by the Bureau in 1936 and have been continued intermittently to the
present time. Alternative plans of development, considered in the
course of these investigations, are briefly discussed in Chapter VIII
of this report. Wort< in connection with the investigations has
included the following:

1. Water supply studies including gaging flow of project
streams.

2. Classification of arable lands in the area.

3. Topographic and geologic surveys of reservoir and dam sites,
preliminary traverse of canal lines.

4. Office work including preparation of plans and estimates,
land and water relationship studies, and economic analyses of project
development.

ACknowledgme nts

The Bureau of Reclamation is indebted to several Federal, State,
and local agencies who supplied assistance and information during the
course of investigations. Among these are Bureau of Land Management,
Geological Survey, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service,
Bureau of Mines, Forest Service, Weather Bureau, Bureau of Census,
Farm Security Administration, Federal Land Bank, Colorado State High-
way Department, Colorado State Engineer I s Offic e, Colorado River Planning.
Commission, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Colorado River Wa~
Conservation District, Garfield County Treasurer and Ass€ssor's Office,

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