STATEMENT ON PAONIA PROJECT, COLORADO The potential Paonia project would divert water from the North Fork of the Gunnison River in the upper Colorado River Basin to improve the irrigation water supply, and thus the agricultural production, of 17,040 acres of land in west-central Colorado. Of these lands, 14,830 acres are presently irrigated and 2,210 acres are arable but not now irrigated. Fish and wildlife values in the area would be enhanced and flood damages would be decreased. The general type of farming now practiced in the area would be continued with project development but the additional irrigation supplies would make possible a more intensive crop production. Production of livestock foods and fruit, such as apples, peaches, and cherries, would continue to be the major crops grown. Principal livestock would be dairy cows and beef cattle. Under the project plan, the Spring Creek Dam and Reservoir would be constructed at a site on Muddy Creek, 1 mile above its junction with the North Fork River. The reservoir would have a capacity of 18,000 acre-feet, of which 11,000 acre-feet would be active and 7,000 acre-feet would be reserved for sediment retention and dead storage. The existing Fire Mountain Canal diverting from the North Fork River 5 miles below the Spring Creek Dam would be enlarged and extended. The enlarged canal would be capable of diverting an increased amount of natural streamflow during the early irrigation season and in the late season its supply would be supplemented by water released from the reservoir. In this manner the irrigation water supply for lands under the Fire Mountain Canal would be improved and through its extension the canal would also serve lands on Rogers Mesa that heretofore have been irrigated from Leroux Creek, a tributary of the North Fork River. The Leroux Creek water thus released from Rogers Mesa would be diverted into the higher Overland Canal, which would be improved and enlarged for this purpose, and used to augment the present irrigation supply for lands on Redlands Mesa. Beginning at a point on the Fire Mountain Canal 9 miles below its head, the Minnesota siphon would be constructed to convey part of the water southward 12,000 feet across the North Fork River to the existing Minnesota Canal. Water-supply studies based on records of streamflows as they have occurred in the past indicate that with project development the irrigation supply for project lands would be increased by 18,500 acre-feet annually from direct flows and storage yield. The increase in stream depletion attributable to the development is estimated at an average of 9,000 acre-feet annually. Land-classification surveys indicate that the lands would be suitable for sustained crop production under irrigation farming. Some further detailed classification would be required to confirm the suitability of all the lands, particularly in the Leroux Creek and Minnesota areas. The project, exclusive of the Minnesota unit, was authorized, under a modification of the above-described plan, by act of Congress on June 25, 1947. Enlargement and extension of the Fire Mountain Canal has been essentially completed under this authorization. Reauthorization of the project, under the revised plan described above, was recommended in the Bureau of Reclamation report on the Paonia project, Colorado, dated February 1951, a supplement to the Colorado River storage project report dated December 1950. Results of current (1953) Bureau of Reclamation estimates for the physical plan of the project as covered in the Paonia project report of February 1951, are summarized in the attached project summary tabulation. PRINCIPAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION Alfalfa, grain, apples, peaches, dairy cows, and beef cattle. The construction features include the Spring Creek Dam and Reservoir with 18,000 acre-feet total capacity, enlargement and extension of the Fire Mountain and Overland Canals and the Minnesota siphon. The enlargement and extension of the Fire Mountain Canal is essentially completed under prior project authorization. Annual operation, maintenance, and replacement costs. $6, 944, 000 6, 791, 600 $74, 100 152, 400 2, 414, 000 4,377, 600 6, 791, 600 11, 100 1. 6 to 1 1 Based on 68-year repayment period as provided under project authorizing act of 1947. STATEMENT ON FLORIDA PROJECT, COLORADO The potential Florida project is planned primarily to supply irrigation water to, and thus increase the agricultural production on, 18,950 acres of Florida Mesa and Florida River Valley lands in the upper Colorado River Basin in southwestern Colorado. The lands include 12,650 acres presently irrigated with only a partial supply and 6,300 acres presently not irrigated. Approximately 1,000 acres of the land, including 100 acres partially irrigated and 900 acres now unirrigated, are owned by Indians. In addition to irrigation values, the project would provide some enhancement in fish and wildlife values in the area and effect some decrease in flood damages along Florida River. With project development, the irrigated lands would be utilized largely for the support of livestock enterprises as now practiced in the area. Climatically adaptable crops, such as small grains, alfalfa, hay, pasture, and some pinto beans, potatoes, apples, vegetables, and berries, would be produced. Analyses made indicate that a family-size farm would provide the farm family with a reasonable standard of living, provide employment for the available labor, and permit payment of operation, maintenance, and replacement costs of project facilities and some payment toward the construction costs of project facilities. Preliminary land classification surveys indicate that project lands would be suitable for sustained production of crops under irrigation farming. Detailed land classification would be required to confirm the suitability of all the lands. Water-supply studies based on records of streamflows as they have occurred in the past indicate that an adequate irrigation supply would be available for the project with permissible shortages in occasional drought years. The increase in irrigation supply would average 23,200 acre-feet annually including 6,900 acre-feet of direct flows and 16,300 acre-feet of storage water. Water rights for the project could be obtained under Colorado State law. Construction features of the project would include the Lemon Dam and Reservoir with a total capacity of 23,300 acre-feet to store water on Florida River, construction of a new diversion dam on Florida River at the head of the existing Florida Farmers ditch, enlargement and extension of the existing Florida Farmers ditch diverting from Florida River, and some distribution and drainage facilities. Water would be released from the reservoir as needed and conveyed in the natural river channel to heads of various downstream canals and ditches that would divert the flow for distribution to project lands. A 3- to 4-year period would be required to complete construction of the project. This statement is based on the physical plan of project development presented in the Bureau of Reclamation report on the "Florida project, Colorado" dated January 1951, a supplement to the Colorado River storage project report dated December 1950. Results of current (1953) Bureau of Reclamation estimates for this project plan are summarized in the attached project summary tabulation. Summary data, Florida project, Colorado Construction features include Lemon Dam and Reservoir with a total capacity of 23,300 acre-feet, a diversion dam on Florida River, enlargement and extension of existing Florida Farmers ditch, and some distribution laterals and drains. Annual operation, maintenance, and replacement costs. 6, 503, 600 12, 600 1. 4 to 1 STATEMENT ON PINE RIVER PROJECT EXTENSION, COLORADO AND NEW MEXICO The potential Pine River project extension would provide distribution canals to deliver water made available by the existing Pine River project to irrigate 15,150 acres of land now unirrigated in southwestern Colorado and northwestern New Mexico. Of this acreage 1,940 acres are within the boundaries of the existing Pine River Indian irrigation project. The Pine River project, consisting of Vallecito Dam and Reservoir of 126,280 acre-feet active capacity on Pine River, was authorized for construction in 1937 to provide storage water for 69,000 acres and was substantially completed and placed in operation by the Bureau of Reclamation in 1941. About half of the lands to be served were under canals and partially irrigated at the time of construction and now receive supplemental water from Vallecito Reservoir. The remaining lands had no distribution facilities at the time of construction. Facilities for these lands were not included as part of the original project as it was thought that the works required were relatively minor and could be undertaken by the water users with private capital. The required works proved so costly, however, that they have not been privately constructed. As a result, canal systems for the lands than can be economically developed at the present time are planned for Federal construction as the Pine River project extension. With development of the extension the irrigated lands would be utilized largely for the support of livestock enterprises as now practiced in the general locality. Major crops that would be produced on the extension lands are hay and small grains with some potatoes, pinto beans, and early maturing vegetables, and berries also grown. Principal livestock would be dairy cows and beef cattle. The project extension would consist of the enlargement and extension of 8 major canals and ditches diverting from Pine River, the construction of 1 new diversion dam on Pine River, and the construction of a number of small distribution laterals. Over half the extension lands would be served by enlargement and extension of the existing King consolidated canal and construction of a new diversion dam at the head of this canal. The other canals and ditches to be enlarged and extended include the Pine River Canal and the Myers-Asher, Bennet and Myers, Bear Creek and Pine River, Sullivan, Shroder extension, and Thompson Epperson ditches. A period of 3 to 4 years would be required to complete definite plan investigations and construction of the extension works. Preliminary land-classification surveys indicate the extension lands to be suit able for sustained crop production under irrigation farming. A detailed classification is necessary to confirm the suitability of all the lands. Water supply studies, based on records of streamflows as they have occurred in the past, indicate that an adequate water supply would be available for the development from direct flows and storage water from the existing Vallecito Reservoir. A water right for the project can be obtained under Colorado and New Mexico State laws. This statement is based on the physical plan of development presented in the report on "Pine River project extension, Colorado and New Mexico," dated January 1951-a supplement to the Colorado River storage project report dated December 1950. Results of current (1953) Bureau of Reclamation estimates for this development plan are summarized in the attached project summary tabulation. Summary data, Pine River project extension, Colorado-New Mexico 1 Return flow of 4,250 acre-feet would also be diverted making a total diversion of water by extension lands of 49,700 acre-feet. Storage at existing Vallecito Reservoir of 126,280 acre-feet active capacity of which some 20 to 25 percent of such capacity would be available to the Pine River project extension lands. New construction features include enlargement and extension of eight canals and ditches, a diversion dam, and a number of distribution laterals. Annual operation, maintenance, and replacement costs. 18, 950 2.2 to 1 STATEMENT ON EMERY COUNTY PROJECT, UTAH The potential Emery County project is planned primarily to improve the irrigation water supply and thus better the agricultural production of 24,080 acres of land in Emery County in east central Utah near the towns of Huntington, Castle Dale, and Orangeville. The project is in the Green River Basin, a part of the upper Colorado River Basin. The general type of farming now practiced in the area would be continued with project development. Agriculture would continue to center around the livestock industry with more than 90 percent of the irrigated area producing hay and grains. The increased production in livestock feed would permit increased production on the farm of beef, sheep, pork, and dairy products. Principal construction features of the project would be Joes Valley Dam and Reservoir, with a total capacity of 57,000 acre-feet, to store water on Cottonwood Creek; the Swasey diversion dam on Cottonwood Creek, 10 miles downstream from Joes Valley; and the 17-mile Cottonwood Creek-Huntington Canal, with an initial capacity of 250 second-feet, heading at the Swasey diversion dam. Some canal laterals and drains would be constructed. Existing irrigation facili |