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000984 !l.eport of the Regional Director . PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT 34. The plan of development requires construction of the potential Braziel Reservoir on Dry Creele Drain, located between the Ft. Laramie Canal and the Horse Creek Lateral, for the dual purpose of better regulating deliveries from that canal and conserving waters now wasted because of present regulating conditions. 35. Lands that will benefit most directly from the reservoir now receive water from the Ft. Laramie Canal. The area has been IIDder irrigation for more than twenty years. The topography is level to gently rolling. Soils are Of good quality and range from fairly heavy light colored loam to sandy loam. Drainage conditions are fair although some seeped areas are evident as a result of inadequate drains or because of heavy soils that do not readily drain. There is evidence of alkalinity in some areas but because of the absence of any analysis in recent years the type and degree of concentration are not known. . 36. Water rights for the Pathfinder Reservoir totalling 1,070,000 acre-feet have priorities dated December 6, 1904, as a result of fi~ings with the States of Nebraska and Wyoming. The Gering & Ft. Laramie Irrigation District established rights to 784 second- feet by filing on September 19, 1904, in Nebraska, and on December 4, 1904, and tpril 20, 1923, in Wyoming. 1~e Goshen Irrigation District has rishts to 722 second-feet established by filings dated December 6, 1904, April 20, 1923, and January 20, 1932, in Wyoming. 37, Construction of the Braziel Reservoir would not materially alter present cropping patterns. By conserving water now wasted and by providing better regulation of the existing water supnly, crop ;}Tields should be improved. However, it is extremely difficult to estimate the degree or extent of the probable improvement. Land values will be affected only slightly. No settlement opportunities will be created. About 8,700 acres of presently irrigated lands, served by the Horse Creek Lateral below Dry Creek Drain, would receive direct benefits from the reservoir; the remainder of the two districts would benefit indirectly. 38. The Braziel Reservoir site lies within the boundary of the Gering & Ft. Laramie Irrigation District. Upon completion of con- struction, the reservoir would be operated in conjunction with the works of that district. Mo development period prior to initiation of repayments would be required. 39. Preliminary cost estimates of the potential Braziel Reservoir, on the basis of February 1948 prices, are as follows, all of which would be allocated to irrigation: 9 . (Rev.)