WSP06952

• File Number: 8220.128.A
• Description: Silt Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 10/1/1945
• Author: USDOI - BOR
• Title: Silt Project-Colorado ‎(Draft of Project Planning Report)‎ Part 1 of 2
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

(:)
:;;)
....;

Public Benefits

Many unmeasurable although very real public benefits .nll be

realized from project construction. An increase in the production of

farm products for the area will increase farmer income and the valuation

of farm land. This will result in additional tax receip:.s for local

school districts, for Garfield Gounty, for the State of Colorado, and

for the Nation at large. Better schools, roads and public services

will be provided and the National income with attaching tax income

will be increased. The volume of new business transacted in local

communities including utility service, local and long distance trans-

portation, wholesale purchases of supplies and retail sales to farmers

will be greatly expanded. The gross increase in value of crops pro-

duced will amount to $%,980 per year, or approximately $3,800,000

over 40 years. This is over three times the entire estima.ted cost

of the project.

The increase in the production of, livestock feed and forage

crops resulting from the project will make possible better utili?'ation

of surrounding range land and the stabilization of the livestock

,

industr-.{ of the area, An increase in the production of such crops

will also provide for winter pen feeding of livestock and make available

r:-
C."j
,.,:~,

a supply of manure which will insure the maintenance of land fertility

and a higher yield of crop production. Farmers growing fruit and other

crops maturing late in the season will be insured ample water thus

eliminating the hazard of crop failure after a large part of the

annual cost of production is invested. Livestock centers such as

Denver, Omaha, Kansas City and possibly San Francisco vnll be

~ j-<;