WSP01700

• File Number: 8220.130.A
• Description: West Divide Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 2/28/1973
• Title: Preliminary Summary Sheets - West Divide Project - Feb. 28-1973
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Project Overview

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Preliminary Summa~ Sheets
West Divide Project

Location

West-central Colorado in Upper Colorado River Basin
Authorized September 30, 1968 - Public law 90-537.

Current Status

Advance planning studies have not yet been initiated on the West Divide
Project. Funds \~ere appropriated in FY 1973 and apportioned for use in
beginning in the 4th quarter. However. these funds have now been withdrawn
so that initiation of advance planning studies have been deferred. The
FY 1974 program of $100,000, based on carryover from other advance planning
funds in FY 1973, is to be used to determine the effect of the project on
the salinity of the Colorado River and to estimate the cost for facilities
to offset salinity effects of the praject.

-
In FY 1972 local interests and the State of Colorado contributed funds in
the amount of $30,000 for use by the Bureau to support due diligence in
the development of water rights by conducting studies to determine alter-
nate routes for Huntsman and Fourmile Canals and alternate sites for Yank
Creek and Haystack Reservoirs. These studies were initiated late in FY 1972
and are scheduled to be completed in FY 1973.

Total investigation costs to June 30~ 1972, including feasibility and
advance planning, amount to $1,011.506.

Advance planning studies, when initiated. will include a comprehensive
evaluation of changing physical conditions and priorities. with sRecial
emphasis on oil shale to meet energy dePands, that have occurred since
completion of the authorizing report in order to arrive at a selected plan
of development.

Plan (Same as presented to Congress in feasibility Studies)

The West Divide Project is planned primarily to provide water for irriga-
..tion and for municipal and industrial use in connection with development
of local oil shale reserves. It also NDuld provide benefits to recr~ation,
fish and wildlife, and flood control.

Project water would be obtained from a series of Colorado River tributaries,
south of the river. Crystal River f10'101'S would be regulated at Placita
Reservoir. Some reservoir releases would be made directly to the river for
downstream uses. Most of the releases~ however. would be diverted into the
Huntsman Canal and conveyed westward to West Divide Creek for subsequent
distribution in the western portion of the project area by the East and
West Divide Canals. The diverted flows would be supplemented by water
stored in Haystack Reservoir on small tributaries of West Divide Creek.
Natural flows at Haystack Reservoir would be augmented by flo~ls of nearby I