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Show acre-feet of water per year from the Fryingpan River in the Colorado River drainage through the Continental Divide to the Arkansas River Basin in central and southeastern Colorado. The Project will provide supplemental and regulated water supplies to 280,000 acres of land in the Arkansas Valley that do not now have an adequate water supply. Water will also be provided for expanding municipal and industrial purposes in Pueblo, Colorado Springs, and other towns in the Arkansas Valley. The project will prevent a large part of the flood damages along the Arkansas River which frequently occur between Pueblo and the John Martin Reservoir. In accomplishing the purposes of the Project, hydroelectric energy will be generated at seven powerplants having a nameplate rating of 123,900 kilowatts. Recreation and fish and wildlife benefits will be realized through project facilities. Principal features of the project include Ruedi Dam and Reservoir and the collection system on the Western Slope, the divide tunnel through the Continental Divide, enlargement of Turquoise Lake and Twin Lakes Reservoir, Pueblo Dam and Reservoir, seven powerplants with appurtenant power and transmission facilities, pipelines for municipal water, etc. Ruedi Dam and Reservoir on the Fryingpan River, upstream from Basalt, Colorado, will cost 20 million dollars of the overall project costs of about 170 million dollars. It is for replacement purposes and primarily for the benefit of the Western Slope in Colorado. By storing water during the spring snow melt season and releasing it during the late summer months, diversions can be made to the Eastern Slope without infringement on Western Slope water rights. Construction Activities Construction of Ruedi Dam and Reservoir continued during the year with about one-fourth of the work finished by September 30, 1965. Contracts were awarded for the construction of the Divide, South Fork, and Chapman Tunnels. Specifications were issued for the construction of Sugar Loaf Dam. Several aerial mapping contracts were completed or progressed during the year. Hydrologic studies were extended and refined. f. Fruitland Mesa Project The Fruitland Mesa Project, located in west-central Colorado, was authorized by Congress in September 1964. The project will provide supplemental water for 6,930 acres of presently inadequately irrigated land and a full supply of irrigation water to 16,520 acres of land. In addition, recreation and fish and wildlife benefits will be provided. Principal project features will include the Soap Park 86 |