OCR Text |
Show Flood Control Planning for flood control in the basin must not only provide for the protection of existing values but also consider the ultimate development. Stor- age of water for irrigation, domestic use, and power have caused major changes in stream regimen in this basin and future multiple-purpose storage will greatly increase the mileage of streams affected. Local protection works will be required in some localities where concentration of values and popu- lation will justify them. These projects, on the whole, are likely to be small and widely distributed because of the sparse distribution of population. Some flood control storage in multiple-purpose reservoirs -will be required to protect existing areas and developments resulting from the irrigation proj- ects both on the main stream and on the tributaries. In addition channel rectification and local flood control works will be required in the future to alleviate flood hazards resulting from channel de- terioration, caused by construction of the storage reservoirs. The provision of major drainage outlets will be essential to the satisfactory development of a few agricultural areas. Planning for flood control will be coordinated with water utilization projects and provision incorporated in all plans to prevent en- croachments on the channel capacities of the streams. The extent of the flood control program will de- pend upon the economic justification of the indi- vidual pro j ects. A land management program and flood plain zoning would supplement flood control storage and other protective works. Pollution Abatement Ultimate development of water resources in the Colorado River Basin will require prosecution of pollution a/batement measures as necessary to cor- rect or pr-event deterioration of water quality. Municipali-ties within the basin will not present major pollxition problems within the foreseeable future. Mline tailings, and particularly the mine tailing dunxps at works now abandoned, will require constant vigilance on behalf of industry, sport fish- ing, and ottier recreation. It is impossible to predict at this time the nature and extent of industry which will develop in the basin, but -the major raw materials of the basin, livestock, \wood pulp, vegetables and fruits, min- erals, coals, and oil shales, all yield polluting wastes 454 in processing. Continuing awareness of the pollu- tion possibilities of potential industry is required. Recreation developments must provide facilities necessary to prevent stream pollution. Fish and Wildlife The Colorado River Basin provides opportunity for extensive fish and wildlife values. Wise plan- ning can enhance these values, and wise regulation can contribute to the basin economy. Regulation of the range requires recognition of the part which deer and elk play in grazing abuse. Reservoirs will be designed for incidental maintenance and en- hancement of the sport fish values, and through supplementing low stream flows as an incident to irrigation and power operations, stream fishing will be improved. The reservoirs proposed will be im- portant new elements in the migrating bird flyways. Recreation The basin now is a major national recreation cen- ter. With some of the greatest scenic attractions in the world, it is likely that planning for and main- tenance of proper recreational use will always be a major feature in basin water resources use. The important problem for planning is reconciliation of the need for preserving the natural attractiveness of the great scenic assets, and the vital need for regulation of basic streams in their most effective beneficial use. Stream regulation therefore must be undertaken in a manner which will not unrea- sonably destroy the attractiveness of those features which have or could have national appeal. At the same time development of the water resources of the basin can measurably enhance the recreational usefulness of the region, and broaden its services. The use to which the Lake Mead National Recreational Area already has been put, with only minor elements of its master plan in op- eration, is indicative of the potential recreation opportunities inherent in the proposed reservoirs. Aside from the general attraction provided by a body of water in a desert, and the fishing, new reservoirs will afford easy and comfortable means of access to canyon areas as magnificent as those now served by limited, expensive, and overcrowded facilities. Planning for these reservoirs already includes full surveys of recreation opportunities. Hunting and fishing, both major elements of the public's recreation, will be enhanced by the over- all program of water resources development. |