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

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1mLTIPLE USE

Flood Control

Rifle Creek Valley above and in the ill'J!lediate vicinity of the

City of Rifle suffers considerable flood damage from high water flows

of Rifle Creek. Flood flows originating in the drainage basin above

the potential Hifle Gap Reservoir site are, however, of a minor nature

compared with SU/ll1ler cloudburst flows of Government Creek, tributary to

Rifle Creek below the dam site.

A detail study has been made of Rifle Creek Valle,y for evidence

of flood damage caused by water passing the Rifle Gap dam site. In

such study irrigation company officials and Colorado State Highway

employees were contacted and a search was made of the files of the local

newspaper, The Rifle Telegram. All flood damage of any consequence was

reported directly chargeable to clmldburst floods originating on the

watershed of Government Creek. Cloudburst storms rarely occurred during

high water flow of Rifle Creek. The Rifle Gap Reservoir would thus have

very little value in controlling creek flows causing damage in lower

Rifle Creek Valley.

Power Development
The project is unattractive for the development of hydroelectric

power. The flow of Rifle Creek in average and less than average pre-

cipitation years will all be conserved for irrigation and culinary use

leaving very little or no water available for release through the Rifle

Gap Reservoir during the fall and winter months for the generation of

power. The seasonal power possible of generation during the summer months

by the release of irrigation water will not justify the cost of installation

and the operation of generation equipment. power production at the