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'~;j 5 . . MIRAGE FLATS PROJECT* Supplemental Water The existing Mirage Flats Project is located in Northwestern Nebraska with storage works on the Niobrara River in Dawes County. Irrigated lands I ie in Sheridan County approximately 12 mi les south of Hay Springs, Nebraska. The Mirage Flats Irrigation Project has an inadequate water supply and the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation has developed a feasibi J ity report proposing supplemental water for the existing project. Current Status A feasibi lity report was prepared on this proposal in 1965, but before any steps toward construction can be taken, the Congress must authorize the construction and appropriate funds necessary for construction. Description of Proiect Area Geographically, this portion of the Niobrara River Basin is characterized by flat table lands which have been modified severely by erosion at many points along the Niobrara River and its tributaries. At these points the terrain varies frcm rolling to rough. Irrigated lands of this project lie in a compact body on stream terraces in the Niobrara River Val ley. The average annual precipitation in this area is 16 inches with about three-fourths of the annual precipitation occurring during the growing season. The econcmy of the general Mirage Flats area is typically agricultural. Extent of Proiect Investiqations In 1962 the Bureau of Reclamation published a reconniassance report proposing extension of the irrigation service to 6,200 additional acres and supplemental water for presently irrigated lands. Local support for irrigation of these new lands diminished so further studies were limited to provisions of supplemental water only and resulted in the December 1965 feasibi I ity report. Plan Features The plan to supply supplemental water to the existing project lands by way of the present distribution system envisions pumping from 17 deep wel Is. The plan of development includes acquisition of additional rights-of-way surrounding Box Butte Reservoir to enhance recreation and fish and wi ldl ife, and to alleviate exIsting and future operation and maintenance problems. The plan al$o includes minor drainage faci I ities and the acquisition of additional rights-of-way along canal operating roads. Project Benefits Benefits accruing from the proposed additions to the existing project would include irriga- tion, fish and wi ldl ife, and recreation. One of the benefits to fish and wi Idl ife would come from the restocking and rehabi I itation of Box Butte Reservoir with desirable game fish. In addition to land now available or to be acquired at the Box Butte Reservoir for irrigation purposes, 350 acres would be acquired specifically for fish and wi Idl ife. The National Park Service requested that portions of the reservoir lands to be acquired for other purposes be designated as recreation areas. To faci I itate use of these lands, some additional basic faci lities wi I I be required. The proposed additions wi I I provide an additional 5,000 recreation days, and an additional 4,490 hunting, fishing, and nature study days annually. * "Mirage Flats Project, Nebraska!!, December 1965. Bureau of ReClamation, Grand Island, Nebraska. For information, write: Area Eng i neer, 4-5