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

2210

..

.,

.

,

.)

..

III. G-:.i,:~:~r;.L D~JC~\Ii-lI(;~ of J.L1. ~A

A. ~ro~osed Sites
Blue .;esa Heservoir site, formerlJ' known as the Cotton-

.;,ood 'leser'loir site, is located in the ul'per i-art 01 the Elacj( Cmyon

of the uunnison "ivdr in Gunnison COW1t:;, Colorado. it is reaci1ed by

way of U. S. high lay 50 frol" Gunnison, approximately 27 miles to the

northeast. The i'roposed dMl. will be approximately 180 feet high and

will impoW1d a reservoir approximately 11 miles long and 2 miles wide

at its widest point, and will hove a surface area of approximately

1,500 acres at elevation 7,335 feet (proposed normal water level).

The reservoir :dll be confined to the canyon for most of its length.

It "I ill, however, widen out. over the meadows at the DlOuth of Sapinero

Creek (Soap Creek) and the small resort town of Sapinero riLll be

inW1dated.

\,ater regulation is the purpose for which the reservoir

is intended. The proposed nonXil water level at elevation 7,)35 feet

with a capacity of 70,000 acre feet and a surface area of 1,500 acres

will be maintained throughout the year. The l'roposed operation indi-

cates a maximum water level at elevation 7,345 feet with a capacity

of 80,000 acre feet and a surface area of 1,550 acres.

Gateview heservoir site is located in Gunnison COW1ty,

approYJUaately 40 miles southwest of Gunnison, Colorado, and is reached

by way of U. S. highway 50 to Iola and then by State highway 149. The

proposed dam \.,hich will be apl'roximately 280 fdet high is located in

the rather narrow, rugged canyon of the Lake Fork.of the Gunnison

River and will impound a reservoir approximately 6.5 miles long and

l.5 miles wide at its widest point. For a distance of about one-half

26