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<br />" <br /> <br />I -' <br />, <br /> <br />1( ..:-- ,~\ <br />I;.'~;) <br /> <br />" <br /> <br />Enlargement of Turquoise Lake and Twin Lakes and use of Clear <br />Creek Reservoir as a tail-race for the Granite Power Plant would produce <br />varying effects upon these existing reservoirs. Generally speaking, the <br />results would be unfavorable to fish and wildlife. Historic records shor. <br />the average annual fluctuation of Turquoise Lake and Twin Lakes to have <br />been about 11 feet. Under the proposed plan, Turquoise Lake would have <br />an average annual fluctuation of S6 feet, while T\vin Lakes would fluctuate <br />an average of 36.S feet yearly. Both lakes would be affected qy the force <br />of considerable water entering via the power plants on their respective <br />shores. TWin Lakes would be subject to increasing amounts of mine tailing <br />deposits resulting from diversion of Arkansas River waters via the Snowden <br />Canal. Clear Creek Reservoir would be subjected to greater daily fluctua- <br />tion, but since its operation pattern in the past has been quite erratic, <br />it is possible the net result will not be unfavorable. <br /> <br />How the adverse effect of the project on Twin Lakes and Turquoise <br />Lake might be mitigated is difficult to determine without further study. <br />One possibility which.might accomplish two objectives would be construction <br />of a reservoir at the Snowden site. Such a reservoir ..ould eliminate need <br />for diverting Arkansas River water and mine tailings into TV/in Lakes. It <br />could also help to improve conditions on the Arkansas River downstream, <br />provided sufficient water remained in the river to preserve the productive <br />area of the stream. <br /> <br />Finally, we come to the question of dewatering the Arkp~sas River <br />and portions of its tributary streams in the reach from Turquoise Lake to <br />Salida. The Arkansas River is a beautiful river a:1d potenti?lly a fine <br />fishing stream. It is on a route travelled by many tourists, as well as <br />in an area readily' accessible to some of the larGe population centers of <br />the eastern slope. It should and could ue one of the feature attractions <br />of "Colorful Colorado ," instead of the tailinb and sediment and se";a:;e <br />laden stream it is today. <br /> <br />The project, as proposed, would aGgravate the present pollution <br />situation because of the Great reduction in stream flow. No. provision <br />has been made for control of mine tailings from the Leadville and other <br />mine areas or for control of sediments broUGht in by flash floods from <br />the overgrazed highly erosive and eroded slopes of the Park Range, The <br />comprehensive plan, we believe, should require elimination of mine tail- <br />ings and other major sources of pollution as well as range rehabilitation <br />designed to reduce the sediment load to a minimum. <br /> <br />Summer and vQnter averaGe flows should be about as follows, if <br />the Arkansas River is to be preserved as a fishing stream: <br /> <br />S <br />