WSP05262

• File Number: 8146.400
• Description: Pueblo Dam - Reports
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 5/1/1972
• Author: US DoI BoR
• Title: Final Environmental Statement
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: EIS

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have prevented extensive damage during the flood of June
1921 to the main section of the city of Pueblo, but would
not have prevented serious damage between Pueblo and John
Martin Darn.

A flood occurred in May 1955 which incurred $11.3 million
of damages and disrupted utilities, communications, trans-
portation facilities, agricultural areas, urban dwellings,
and businesses between Pueblo and John Martin Dam. The
June 1965 flood was more extensive than previous floods,
incurring $17.6 million damages between Pueblo and John
Martin Dam. These floods were on tributaries that enter
the Arkansas River below the Barrier Dam - Pueblo Floodway,
but they are indicative of the flood problems of this area.

These floods gave evidence that better protection was
needed and aroused local interests to promote flood pro-
tection as a project purpose.

Land and improvements, crops, emergency costs, and loss of
business and other income, both in and adjacent to flooded
areas were the tangible damages.

Intangible losses included danger to human life, human dis-
comfort, injury and exposure during floods, creation of
conditions detrimental to health and security, and interrup-
tion of normal community activities.

Floods also disrupted the irrigation water supply to lands
lying outside the flood plain. Diversion works and main
canals were breached and damaged by overbank flow. The
adverse effect of floods also extended to thousands of acres
of non flooded productive land.

Industries, water districts and domestic water association,
and municipalities within the boundaries of the Southeastern
Colorado Water Conservancy District obtain water supplies
from surface flows, springs, and wells. Surface water from
the Arkansas River and its tributaries are the primary sources
of water supply for most of the major cities. The City of
Rocky Ford, located in the valley below Pueblo, obtains its
water from surface supplies by owning shares in the Rocky
Ford Canal Company, a mutual irrigat ion company.

The Arkansas River flows have been greatly over appropriated
for many years. In their search for more water, the Cities

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