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May 1995 ~ SUMMARY SHEET Silt Project, Colorado Bureau of Reclamation BACKGROUND Authorized by Congress in the 1956 Colorado River Storage Project Act, the Silt Project was completed by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) in 1967. The project has increased irrigation water lupply for about 6,600 acres of land near Silt and Rifle, Colorado. The, project includeS Rifle Oap Dam and Reservoir on Rifle Creek, and the Sill Pump Plant and Canal along the Colorado River. The Silt Water Conservancy District (District) operates and maintains Rifle Gap Dam, the pumping plant and the project canals and laterals. The project haa also enhaneed use of features owned by the Fannen Irrigation Company, including the Grass Valley Canal, Harvey Gap Re.ervoir, Ea.t Lateral, and West Lateral. Refer to the next page for a brief description of how project lands are provided longer and more reliable irrigation seasons. Rifle Gap Reservoir also provides recreation, fish and wildlife benefits. Recreation facilities at the reservoir area are managed by the State oC Colorado as a stale park. CURRENT ACTIVITIES Reclamation is involved in the overall management of Sill Project features inciuding Rine Gap Dam & Reservoir, the Silt Pump Plant, recreation facilities and aU Reclamation-owned lands. The project is being evaluated to meet current local and regional needs. These needs include updated recreational facilities and the recovery of endangered fish specieS of the Colorado River. Current activities include: Water Ooeration. Studv - f S,IW This study i. looking at potential changes at the Silt Project that could help satisfy local and regional water needs. Among these needs are: (. More water in Rifle Gap Reservoir throughout the high~usc recreation season, ~ . Higher Oow. in the Colorado River to help r<:oover endangered fish, and C. ~habilitation of the Colorad~ ~,l'er di~cnion to the Silt Pumping PlanI.J-"- - (.,.<!>cr.:sP..sF~ ed. {'to I:-fr.i"-'. '.. The s uay WIn be conauct 10 collaboration WIth the O..trict and other local intercsts. Additional need. may be identified during meeting. with the public. A preliminary report i. .cheduled to be completed within the next year and may be followed by detailed evaluation. of any promising proposals. .sf '( ! / ,- 1iPff",r .:>..SU~- 1. .e ,j.e.- ~"V"f'or + .5, i~ ,"I1",~'W Reservoir- Resource Manai!ement Plan This plan will guide the use, care, and development of land and water based resources within the 1,300-acre Rifle Gap Reservoir area.. The plan \Vill be drafted with the help of the Drstricl, the State of Colorado, the public, and other local and Federal agencies. Resource objectives will be developed compatible with relevant laws and regulations, including the Sih Project's authoriied purposes. Issues expected to be addressed include: . Reservoir water levels . Other uses of pr:oject water . Access across the reservoir area . WIldlife habitat management . Pest mllJiagement . Wetlands management . Recreation management Work on the plan will begin when funding becomes available. tJl Water Conservation Plan - I? ~ A Reclamation's water conservation goal is to improve the use of existing water supplies. Conservation can improve reliability and reduce costs for water users and may, in some cases, yield water for additional fanning, urban, or environmental needs. Under law, those who contract for Federal project water are required to develop conservation plans. The District will evaluate water management practices that may lead to implementation of water conservation measures. The plan should be developed by 1997. 'U" ,: Recreation Rehabilitation Originally developed to support use by 10,000 annual'visitors, recreational facilities at Rifle Gap State Park do not meet the needs of today's 100;000 visitors nor current health, safety and handicapped acces.ibility standards. In September 1994, Reclamation and the State of Colorado agrccd to cooperate in planning, de.igning and constructing rehabilitated facilities. A conceptual plan haa been proposed, and further planning may occur as part of the resource management planning effort. Construction should begin in about 5 years. ~~ /'I,IIM'v"" ~ 5'-g"tt's; ,;' ':;J ears