WSP08091

• File Number: 8147
• Description: Gunnison-Arkansas Project
• State: CO
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 6/1/1948
• Author: US DoI BoR
• Title: Interim Report Gunnison-Arkansas Project Colorado Appendix L Recreation
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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SECTION

GENERAL SUMMARY of FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS and RECOMMENDATIONS

I. Findings and Conclusions

A. The MnximUIll Grr.vity Diversion !lnd the Comprehensive Pkn of

the Gunnison-Arkansas Project will affect the Black Canyon of the

Gunnison National Monument inasmuch as this project will regulate

and divert water above the monument and interrupt the present flow of

the river through the canyon. Under present plans for operntion of

the Comprehensive Plan, a total annual flow of 36,000 acre feet is con-

templated in the Gunnison River through the Black Canyon of tho Gunni-

son National Monument. This would amount to an average flow of fifty

second feet. This proposed annual flaw is not only much loss than

the pro sent avernge stream flow of the Gunnison Rivor through the

monument area but it is also considerably less than recorded figures

showing average minimum flaws through the monument. It is therefore,

concluded that the Maximum Gravity Divereion and Comprehensive Plan

of the Gunnison-Arkansas Project will have an adverse effect on the

scenic and geological values of the national monument area.

B. The roservoir sites offer oxisting or potential recreational

resources of local and stato significanco. Whilo thcy will not servo

as objectives for large numbers of people living outside the State of

Colorado, they may provide pleasant stopover points for some tourists

who pass through the region. They may also prove attractive to some

nonresidents of the State who have summer homes or who otherwise spond

their summers in the coe1er mountainous localities where the sitos are

located.

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