WSP02651

• File Number: 8210.140.20
• Description: Colorado River Basin Organizations and Entities - Colorado River Basin States Forum - California
• State: CA
• Basin: Western Slope
• Date: 1/1/1975
• Author: Myron B Holburt
• Title: Appendix to Annual Report of the Colorado River Board of California for the Calendar Year 1974
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Annual Report

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The various rec oilunendations and proposals vlere discussed at
subsequent meetings of the Uork Group and Coordinating COlluuitteeo

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/'johave Division

A proposal to dredge the 11eedles Lagoon, a one-mile long back-
"later adjacent to the Colorado River immediately north of the Cit,y of
l~eedles, \Vas di,scussed in the Uork Group. Local interests, fish and
wildlife agenc:i!cs, and the Bureau of Reclffination are interested ir.
dredginrc; the Lagoon to provide an attractive 1'Iaterfront feature 1^1ith
deep water and to eliminate mosquito breeding habitat. The Lagoon
is presently filled with sedi,nent and cattails. The Bureau of
Reclaiilation developed a preliminary plan for the Lagoon and held a
public meeting on July 9 in i~eedles to discuss it. However, deinands
fro,u five landowners, or claimants to land adjacent to the Lagoon,
that measures be adopted which would enhance their private interests
caused the Bureau of Heclffi".Jation to drop the proposed project froiil
further consideration.

Also during 1971" the \lork Group discussed alternative methods
of disposin~ of approximately one million cubic yards per year of
dredge SPO:L}" frOi",l the Bureau of Reclffiuation's maintenance dredge ill
the Topock Settling Basin. At the present time, the spoil is being
pJaced adjacent to the settling basin in Topocl< !larsh, part of the
~E.vasu j~ational \hldlife Refuge. The Bureau of 3port Fisheries al'.d
Uildlife is concerned over the loss of IVildlife habitat, including
habitat for an endangered bird species, the Yuma Clapper Rail. No
decisions were reached during the year concerning use of alternative
spoil sites.

The dredging and deepening of \'Iater areas in Topocl< I,Iarsh
during 197h to improve water circulation vrithin the I,jarsh has been
dil;cussed in the Board's 1974 Annual Report.

Beale Slough was considered by the Uork Group for improvel,lent
2,S a recreational and fish and vlildlife bacln-Iater area. It is located
'uetVleen l-Jeedles and Topocl< on the California side of the Colorado
River.. Tl1e proposed development would contain approximately 30 acres
(;f open water su::'face area wit;l 11 minimui:l depth of 4 feet a't the
10"lest river stage. Opportunities exist for development of both
rc:creOltional facilities and fish and wildlife habitat. The \'Iork Group
o,greed to the proposal, which will be accomplished when a Bureau of
Recl&.-ila'c.ion dredge becor:les available in about two years.

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X~alo 'Je=-~e Division

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The Hork Group discussed possible alternative solutions to a
proLlem of erosion of the unprotected California riverbank 2"} fililes
llort,h of the Blythe - Ehrenberg bridge in the Palo Verde Division.
Tlrre8 alternative solutions to the problem were presented by the
Bureau of Reclamation, but fish and \Vildlife representatives expressed
concern over the possible detrimental effects on waterl'o::l and s.:18,ll

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