| OCR Text |
Show voir will be constructed to a capacity of 21,000 acre-feet. The Fire Mountain Canal will be completed, enlarged, and extended to distribute the project water. By these means, the irigation water supply will be improved for an additional 13,070 acres of irrigated land and a full water supply provided for about 2,230 acres of new land. Fish and wildlife values in the area will be enhanced, and flood damages will be decreased. Construction Activities As a result of the Second Session of the 85th Congress having appropriated $1,000,000 the Bureau of Reclamation on January 7, 1959 awarded a construction contract for $3,167,176 for the construction of the Paonia Dam and relocation of the State highway. The engineers estimate for the work under this contract was $4,143,712. The contractor expects to move men and equipment to the site and to proceed with actual construction as soon as weather will permit in the spring of 1959. b. Florida Project The Florida Project is located in southwestern Colorado, southeast of Durango in the Florida River Valley and on Florida Mesa. Its principal features include the construction of Lemon Dam on the Florida River with a reservoir capacity of 23,300 acre-feet, enlargement of the Florida Farmers Ditch, and the construction of a new diversion dam. The laterals will be constructed to 6,300 acres of project lands. Drainage facilities will also be built. Flood control and fish and wildlife values will be improved. The project includes 6,300 acres of new land and 12,650 acres of presently irrigated land needing a supplemental water supply. Investigation Activities Field surveys for project features and the detailed land classification are completed. Agricultural surveys and water supply analyses are well advanced. Designs and estimates have been started. Core drilling at an alternate site for Lemon Dam has disclosed that this site will be more favorable than the one formerly under consideration. The definite plan report is scheduled for completion about September, 1959. c. Smith Fork Project The Smith Fork Project is located in Delta County, along the Smith Fork of the Gunnison River near Crawford, Colorado. Its principal features will include the construction of Crawford Dam and Reservoir on Iron Creek, capacity 13,650 acre-feet, a diversion from Smith Fork Dam on Smith Fork with head works on a sluiceway, a Smith Fork Feed- 36 |
