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COLORADO-BIG THOMPSON P~OJEC'I' .-:-..,::. ,-:; f- General Description C.il -- As early as 1889" englneenng surveys Vo"€re started :in an attempt to overcome the limitations imposed by that geographical barrier--the Continental Divide--on any plan to divert surplus waters from the headwaters of the Colorado ~iver on the Western Slone to northeastpTn Colorado lands. The Colorado-Big Thompson Project is an outgrowth of those early investl~aticn5 and makes possible the collection and storage of snrnlus waters from Colorado ~iver drainage in the vicinity of Granby and Grand Lake and the diversion of thP'S8 waters through the Continental Divide via the Alva B. Adam~ Tunnel to the Eastern Slone of ~olorado fOT irriga- tion, municloal, anrt power uses. The compon€nt features of the comprehensive project plan are shown on the m8P included as the last page of this sum~ary~ Many of the features shown on this map, especially those on the Western Sl00e, h~vg been completed or are nearing completion~ Such is the case of thp- Green Mountain Dam and Power Plant~ which was completed in May of 1943. Energy gen- erated by this plant averages 68 million kilowatt-hours annually. The primary purpose of the Colorado-Big Thomason Project is to provide a supplemental water supply for approximately 700,000 acres of irrigable land in northeastern Colorado where agricultural production is limited because of inadequate water for irrigation~ Diversion of an estimated average Quantity of 257)700 acre-feet annually from the headwaters of the Colorado River to these culti- vated lands will assure a dependable water supoly, more abundant crops, increased 11come, and greater economic stability through the reduction of drought hazards; yet such diversions, because of re- placement storage provided by Green Mountain Reservoir on the Blue River, will not encroach upon the present or future requirements of Western Slope lands in Colorado.. The municipal water supply of several towns in northern Colorado will be supplemented through use of the imported water" Advantage is being taken of the opportunity to develop hydroelectric power from the power head created by the diversion of water from the Western Slope. Development of project- created recreational resources in accordance with National Park Service plans will enlarge existing facilities for boating, fishing, camping, picnicking, and s~mrning~ The Colorado-Big Thompson Project was authorized in the Interior Deoartment Aoprooriation Act of August 9) 1937, (50 ~tat. 595). The project plan is set forth in Senate Document BOj 75th Congress. A finding of feasibility was aODroved by the President on December 21, 1937~ In th~s sa~e year} the water users in the area to be served by the croject orgRnized the Northern Colorado Water Conserva'1cy District. On July 5~ 1938) a contract was exe- cuted between this Conservancy District and the Government which prm'ides for use of water by the District, provides for repayment 3