WSP02323

• File Number: 8443
• Description: Narrows Unit
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 11/3/1975
• Author: Regional Landowners
• Title: Abandonment of the Narrows Dam Project in Preference to a Total River Plan
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

022G

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4. Impact on Morgan County and State of Colorado

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The proposed Narrows project would cause a far greater economic loss

to Morgan County and surrounding area than the monetary gain that is
assumed to be generated by a dam on the South Platte River.
Morgan County's basic economy is agriculturally oriented; and the
57,000 acres included within the "take line" of the proposed project would
take about 17,000 acres of prime irrigated crop land, and 40,000 acres of
pasture and meadowland needed to help supply a world encountering a dwindl-
ing food supply. The loss of this land would reduce the agricultural income
of the coun~y and surrounding area as follows:

$7,351.500 annually from the sale of corn, potatoes, beans, sugar

beets, alfalfa, barley and oats, and other farm products.

$4,1)2,7)0 annually from the sale of dairy livestock and their pro-

ducts, feedlot cattle, range cattle, horses, hogs, and

other livestock.

This comes to a total figure of $11,484,230, which comprises approxi-

mately 11% of the agricultural production of Morgan County per year.

The land that would be removed from the tax rolls of Morgan County

by the proposed Narrows project amounts to approximately 14% of the total

tax base of the county per year.

The annual value of oil and gas production in the Weldon Valley and

surrounding area at current prices is $122,421. The potential of future

petroleum production should not be overlooked in a country in need of

energy resources. Morgan County R. E. A., Public Service Company of

Colorado and Mountain Bell Telephone Company would lose considerable

revenue if the Narrows project is impl9l1lented I

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