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<br />October 1973 <br /> <br />Expanded Indian Request <br /> <br />. Map #1 shows approximately 6,500 acres that were presented to the <br />Bureau of Reclamation as approved by the tribe for inclusion in the <br />Dolores Project. Two large maps were received showing most of the <br />reservation south and west of the Sleeping Ute Mountain. On these <br />maps, approximately 11,000 acres of arable lands were delineated <br />of which 6,500 acres were purposed for development. It is assumed <br />that the 6,500 acres are those which appear the most desirable to <br />the tribe. A field inspection by Reclamation classification and <br />drainage personnel revealed that about 2.520 acres of the 6,500 <br />acres are similar to the Dove Creek area lands, as they appear to. <br />be underlain by sandstone-rather than the highly saline Mancos <br />shale. These lands are located west of Mariano Wash. <br /> <br />In addition to the 6,500 acres the 1,000 acre-feet of M&I water would <br />still be delivered to the reservation. Chimney Rock Draw reservoir <br />would be abandoned and another reservoir west of the highway inter- <br />section on an arm of Navajo Wash would be substituted. The reservoir <br />would be significantly larger. It was requested that sufficient water <br />be provided to replenish an estimated 800 acre-feet annual evaporation <br />loss and an additional quantity for keeping the reservoir from becoming <br />too saline. This additional water requirement for maintenance of <br />reservoir quality is estimated to be 400 acre-feet per year. <br /> <br />In order to deliver the water supply necessary for the above develop- <br />ment it was found economically advantageous to provide a separate canal <br />alinement rather than enlarge the MVI system. For sprinkler irrigation <br />the required capacity would be 120 cfs and assuming gravity service <br />the capacity would be 150 cfs. <br /> <br />Water supply allocations with the 3,055 acr~s of Indian development util- <br />izes the complete yield of McPhee Reservoir. Within these allocations <br />an average annual release of 23,200 ~ was provided to meet fishery <br />recreation, and esthetic purposes below the dam. This release would <br />create a live stream in the Dolores River canyon year around and is <br />appealing to the environmental community who have in the past expressed <br />opposition to the project. <br /> <br />, <br />, <br /> <br />As discussed above, the Indians are requesting a greater participation <br />in the Dolores Project. At the same time M&I demands are increasing <br />in response to population migration. Informal responses from the <br />environmental community with regard to fishery releases have been <br />favorable.~ meet these increasing demands would require additional <br />project water supplies. McPhee Reservoir cannot provide the additional <br />yield. Final project water supplies at McPhee Reservoir are dependent <br />