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8 e61G Fryingpan-Arkansas Project BENEFITS Irrigation Water diverted from the western slope and regulation of the Arkansas River flows will provide supplemental ir- rigation supplies for 280,600 irrigable areas in tbe Arkan- sas Valley. The project will enable farms to sustain and possibly increase the level of present agricultural pro- ductivity per acre. It will permit farmers to diversify the crops prodnced and be more responsive to market demands for food and fiber. Because of the ability to diversify crops and meet peak demands, the value of total crop production of the Arkansas Valley will be increased. Major crops grown are alfalfa, corn, sorghum, and sngar beets. Specialty crops such 8S onions, beans, tomatoes, and melons are grown extensively in the valley. Municipal and Industrial Water Water for mnnicipal and industrial use will be developed by the project to snpplement existing supplies. Two separate water delivery pipeline systems, the Fonntain Valley.and Arkansas Valley Condnits, will begin at Pueblo Dam and convey water to organizations and caffiM munities on the eastern slope. The cities of Colorado Springs and Aurora have con- tracted to use the conveyance system of the Fryingpan- Arkansas Project from Turqnoise Lake to Clear Creek Reservoir for transportation of municipal water supplies owned by the two cities. Homestake Project water will be pumped by that entity from Clear Creek Reservoir into the Upper South Platte River Basin for delivery to the city water systems. Recreation and Fish and Wildlife Recreation facilities are being developed throughout the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project by the Bureau of Reclama- tion in cooperation with the National Park Service, Forest Service, and State and local agencies. Ruedi Reservoir and the North and South Side Collec- tion Systems are on the western slope, where snow- capped mountain peaks reach over 13,000 feet in eleva- tion and thickly forested slopes provide an exceptionally beautiful background for swimming, boating, water ski- ing, fishing, picnicking, camping, and general relaxation. The Forest Service is developing and managing these recreation facilities. Dominant game fish found in the rivers on the western slope include rainbow, brown, cutthroat, and brook trout. Development of Ruedi Dam and Reservoir has in- creased the available fish habitat in the area. Operation of the dam has exposed about six acres of gravel which , .. Chapman Diversion, South Side Collection System now serve as a brown trout spawning ground immed- iately downstream from the dam. The gravel areas and regulate~ streamflow have improved the fishery through I increased natural reproduction, and increased recreati~n opportunities in the immediate area. The most common big game species are deer and elk; black bears are seen; occasionally. Recreation activities at Turquoise Lake include sight- seeing, camping, swimming, water skiing, boating, and hunting.; Development of the lake has increased the aquatic habitat and surface acreage available for fish. Species ~n this area include kokanee salmon, and rain- bow, br~wn, and lake trout. Recreation facilities are adlllinis~ered by the Forest Service. Since the completion of Ruedi Dam and Reservoir, the Turqnoise Lake enlargement in 1969, and Puehlo Dam and Reservoir in 1975, 2,051,947 visitor days of recrea- tion have been recorded. Existin!l recreation development in the area of Twin Lakes a~d the Mt. Elbert Forebay and Powerplant com- plex is ,yater-oriented, with fishing and boating the major I S?uth Fork Diversion, South Side CoUection System