WSP03696

• File Number: 8281
• Description: Williams and Eagle River
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 10/15/1947
• Title: Reconnaissance Study of Williams River and Eagle River Basins
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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October 15, 1947

Report to Steering
(Engineer J. H.
(Engineer C, H.

Committee
Kni~hts)
Jex) .

Subject: Reconnaissance Study of Williams River and Eagle River
Basins - Blue-South Platte Project

1. At the meeting of the Steering Committee held in Glenwood
Springs, Colorado on August 24, 1947, Engineers J. H. Knights and
C, H, Jex were requested -by the Committee to make a reconnaissance
study of the Williams River Basin, the area north of the Colorado
River in the vicinity of the mouth of the Williams River, and of the
Eagle River Basin. This study was to result in the formulation of a
recommendation outlining any.additional work which might be required
to determine if adequate allowance of water for potentially irrigable
lands in those areas.was provided for in the preltminary draft of the
Blue-South Platte Project Report. The study was made on September 15,
16, and 17. Engineer R. K. Benson of the Blue-South Platte Project office
and p, P. Smith of the Grand Junction Area Office also participated in the
reconnaissance study.

2. The irrigated and new arable land in or near the Williams River
Basin and in the area north of the Colorado River in the vicinity of the
mouth of the Williams River, as classified in the 1935 Colorado River
basin Land Classification Study, was checked in the field. The high qual-
ity of the lands considered for development was exemplified by the large
crop yields being harvested from adjacent irrigated areas at the time of
the reconnaissance study. Lands under consideration ranged in elevation
from 7,000 to 8,750 feet, During the reconnaissance it was noted that
considerable work was in progress in the extension of irrigation facili-
ties in the basin and by independent observations by Mr. Knights and
Mr. Jex during the past two or three years it was concluded much new
land had been placed under irrigation,

3. The 1935 land classification, as shown on Dwg. 56-D-292, Colorado
River Drainage Basin - Colorado - Land Classification - Sheet 2 of 8,
indicates 15,500 acres of irrigated and irrigable land within the Williams
River and adjacent basins. Of this land 8300 acres lies above existing
canal systems on the west side of river, and would require the construc-
tion of about 35 miles of main canal. There are about 1580 acres of new
land on the east side of the Williams River which could be served by a
main canal approximately ten miles long,

On the north side of the Colorado River between the mouth of Williams
River and Muddy Creek are 2450 acres of irrigable land at present unirrigated
which could possibly be served from the Williams River through construction
of about nineteen miles of canal including a siphon crossing of the Colorado
River,

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