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~ J >~ SUNBEAM UNIT* . The site for the potential Beaver Crossing Dam and Reservoir is located on the West Fork of the Big Blue River just above the town of Beaver Crossing in Seward and York Counties. The Big Blue River Watershed Planning Board has shown interest in this potential multi- purpose project. The U. S. Bureau of Reclamation is planning the project. Current Status A reconnaissance report has been published and a feasibi lity report is being prepared. The Sunbeam Unit has been recommended by the Nebraska Sol I and Water Conservation Commission as a part of the State Water Plan. Description of Proiect Area The region is characterized by sma I I meandering streams dissecting extensive areas of tablelands. The upland area near the proposed dam site is nearly level to gently rol ling. At the dam site, the river val ley is approximately 2.5 mi les wide, whi Ie the more defined flood plain is about 7,000 feet in width. The stream channel is generally wel I entrenched with a width of approximately 40 feet and an average depth of about 12 feet. Precipitation during the April through September period averages 21 inches, whiCh is about 75 percent of the annual total. Wheat, corn and livestock have been the primary sources of farm income with livestock producing an Increasingly larger share of total farm income in recent years. The urban communities serve principally as trade and service centers for the surrounding agricultural area. Extent of Proiect Investiqations In June of 1963, the Bureau of Reclamation initiated reconnaissance studies on the Big Blue River portion of the Blue Division. Sub-reconnaissance land classification was conducted on approximately 200,000 acres of land. In July 1965, the Bureau of Reclamation published a reconnaissance report on the Blue Division as a part of a basin-wide survey requested by the Nebraska Soi I and Water Conservation Commission. The Sunbeam Unit was a principal feature of the division report. A feasibi lity study of the Sunbeam Unit is nearing completion and provided a source of more detai led Information. P I an Features Beaver Crossing Dam and Reservoir, as planned, would store and regulate the flow of the West Fork of the Big Blue River. Flood control, irrigation, recreation and fish and wi Idl ife enhancement are the primary functions of the project. A morning glory type spi I Iway would be located near the left abutment of the dam alongside flood control outlet works. The flood control outlet would discharge a maximum of 25,800 c.f.s. The Goehner Pumping Plant would 11ft irrigation water directly from the outlet works to the Goehner area through a 78-inch diameter, 3,500 foot long pipeline. The pumping plant would have a total capacity of 313 c.f.s. The river outlet works would be capable of maximum releases of 1,060 c.f.s. The Dorchester Diversion Dam and Pumping Plant would be located on the West Fork of the Big Blue River approximately 20 stream mi les below the Beaver Crossing Dam. Water would be diverted from the river to the pumping plant by means of a concrete river control section with a sluiceway for bypassing si It. Water from the pumping plant would be provided through a 66-inch diameter, 5,800 foot long pipeline. The pumping plant would have a total capacity of 180 c.l.s. An estimated 480 acres would be purchased specifically to provide access and habitat for fish and wi ldl Ife purposes. . * "Blue Division, Nebraska-Kansasll, Reconnaissance Report, July 1965, report, "Beaver Cross' ng Dam & Reservoi r". For i nformat ion, wr I te: of Reclamation, McCook, Nebraska. and unpubl ished feas ibi Ilty Project Manager, Bureau 1-5