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<br />Flows in Colorado River will be depleted in future years by irrigation <br />developments in the Upper Basin states, and the output of hydroelectric plants <br />will decrease. This raises a problem as to the most economic installation for <br />each project. Estimates are being made of the potential average energy output <br />at each site for a 50-year period beginning 1970, and the installation neces- <br />sary to generate this amount of energy. Costs of developing the average out- <br />puts, plus costs of transmission to load centers, will be related to costs of <br />equivalent outputs by steam-electric plants at load centers. Costs of adding <br />increment~l peaking capacity will be compared with costs of peaking capacity <br />in other hydro or in steam-electric plants. Peaking capacities required <br />will be assigned to the most economic sites. <br /> <br />At least four potential power projects in the Colorado River Basin <br />would affect national monuments or parks. Echo Park Reservoir would flood <br />part of Dinosaur National Monument. There is opposition to this Project, <br />although many believe that construction of the reservoir will greatly enhance <br />the use of this scenic area. A 90,000-kilowatt plant with about 1070.foot <br />head could be constructed on the Gunnison River but it would necessitate di. <br />version of almost the entire flow of the river around Black Canyon National <br />Monument. The New Moab Project on the Colorado River would flood part of <br />Arches National Monument. Marble Canyon-Kanab Project would divert a major <br />portion of Colorado River around Grand Canyon National Park. The power in- <br />volved is approximately 1,100,000 kilowatts, with annual value over $30,000,000. <br /> <br />To many, interference with a national monument or park is sacrilege. <br />However, power is so basic to our economic system and standard of living that <br />projects which affect parks should be evaluated on their merits in order that <br />people be informed of the magnitude of the resource and the cost of allowing <br />it to lie unused. Then all agencies, whether concerned with power, irriga- <br />tion, or recreational resources should abide by the people's decision. <br /> <br />Power problems of the Basin, though complicated and difficult, are <br />not insurmountable. The interests of both the Upper and Lower Basins lie in <br />seeing that projects are developed in an orderly manner at the lowest possible <br />cost, and the power fUlly marketed as each project is completed. Just apprai- <br />sal of the needs of eacll area and cooperation by all will lead to earliest <br />accomplishment of the desired objectives. <br /> <br />*********** <br /> <br />RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN COLORADO RIVER UNDER THE <br />JURISDICTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION <br /> <br />J. F. Friedkin, Resident Engineer, United States Section, <br />International Boundary and Water Commission, San Diego, Calif. <br /> <br />Provisions of the 1944 Treaty which relate to the delivery of waters <br />of the Colorado River to Mexico became operative on November 8, 1950, five <br />years from the date of entry into force of the Treaty, as provided in Article <br />27. Thus, Colorado River waters have been delivered pursuant to the terms of <br />the Treaty for more than a year. The two structures which the Governments of <br />the United States and Mexico agreed to construct within the 5.year period were <br />placed in operation on November 8, 1950. Davis Dam is operated for, among <br /> <br />.27. <br />