WSP04061

• File Number: 8141
• Description: Fryingpan-Arkansas Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Date: 1/1/1950
• Author: US DoI BoR
• Title: Initial Development GUNNISON-ARKANSAS PROJECT Roaring Fork Division Colorado
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Report of the Regional Director

with the Mississippi. The river's drainage from the Conti-
nental Divide to Ellinwood, Kansas, comprises the Upper Ar-
kansas River Basin. The economy of that semi-arid section
of the nation is bound closely to its natural resources.
Their conservation and development are essential if the
economy of the basin is to be stabilized and expanded. Wa-
ter is the key resource and its utilization for all bene-
ficial purposes is of prime importance. The Arkansas River
is the hydrologic artery of the basin. It furnishes munici-
pal water, industrial water, and irrigation wa~er. The be-
havior and the yield of the river are, therefore, of concern
to all interested in irrigation agricul~1re, in the protec-
tion and expansion of business investments, and in the wise
and orderly developmmt of the resources of the basin.

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4. The potential Gunnison-Arkansas Project is a major
unit in the comprehensive plan of development of the water
resources of the Upper Arkansas River Basin which is being
investigated by the Bureau of Reclamation. The project is
adaptable to construction by successive cumulative stages.
The Initial Development is planned as a completely independ-
ent multiple-purpose unit that could be the first stage of
a much larger project. The comprehensive project would re-
quire exportation of a relatively large amolmt of Colorado
River water eastward through the Continental Divide to the
Arkansas Valley of Colorado. The flul potential uses of
water in Western Colorado have not been completely deter-
mined; therefore, only the amount of water assuredly beyond
the requirements for development on the Western Slope is
proposed for diversion at this time.

,. This report and attached Substantiating Report
have been sponsored and prepared by the Bureau of Reclama-
tion for the United States DepArtment of the Interior. All
agencies of the Department concerned with the development
and administration of resow'ces in the project area have
made important contributions. Oth8r Federal agencies, nu-
merous State and local 30vernmental agencies, water dis-
tricts, civic organizations, corporate enterprises, and
private individuals have given substantial aid in the de-
velopment of the report. Preliminary drafts of the report
were furnished to the States of Colorado and Kansas, and

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