AZ vs. CA:24 California Exhibits, Vol. XXIV; Miscellaneous

page 145

PKOBLEMS OF IMPERIAL VALLEY AND VICINITY. 145 AUTHORITIES. Data are taken from compilations and information furnished by H.I. Meeker, special deputy State engineer, and from publications of the Reclamation Service concerning the Uncompahgre project. General data. Irrigation development: Acres. Present irrigated acreage............................................ 245,000 Estimated additional................................................ 100, 000 " Total ultimate...................-................................. 345,000 Future decrease in stream discharge: Diverted to basin from San Miguel.................................... 15,000 Diverted out of basin to Rio Grande................................. 2, 000 Consumed in irrigation, 100,000 acres, at 1.5 acre feet per acre.......... 150,000 Total............................................................. 167,000s Future development.-Out of the 100,000 acres listed as future possibilities, 35,000 acres are in the Uncompahgre project, but at present unirrigated, and 20,000 acres in the proposed Montrose Chief project. The remainder is small areas expected to be reclaimed by individual effort. Very meager data are at hand concerning the Montrose Chief project. The proposed irrigation plan is to divert from the San Miguel drainage 15,000 acre-feet annually and trade water now going to the Uncompahgre project which may be diverted on that project. The Uncompahgre project is contemplating storage at Taylor Park reservoir site to supplement the late water flow, which fact points to a possible error m assumptions on which plans for the Montrose Chief are based. However, if return flow is not divertible, arrangements might be made for replacement storage. The Montrose Chief project contemplates two reservoirs. For 20,000 acres 50,000 acre-feet for diversion should be provided, and it is expected that the remainder necessary can be secured from the headwaters of the Uncompahgre. Classification of future irrigation. Under Government canals. Class A. Class B. Class C. Class X. Uncompahgre....................................... 35,000 #' 1 Montrose Chief........ .............. 20 000 Individual efforts........ ............... 45,000 Total............ ................. 35,000 0 20,000 0 45,000 DIVERSIONS FROM BASIN. One is in operation diverting at Cochetopa Pass (13) from the creek of that name to the Saguache, a tributary of the Rio Grande. This is now estimated to average 2,500 acre-feet annually and expected betterments will increase this to 4,000 acre-feet. No other diversions are proposed.