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Show April 20, 1963. Early in 1963 a serious water shortage was predicted for farms in the project area. With the use of water stored in Crawford Reservoir, under a rental and exchange plan, farmers near Crawford were able to claim a near normal year. The project was operated and maintained by the Bureau of Reclamation through the 1963 irrigation season. It is planned to transfer the facilities to the Crawford Water Conservancy District for operation and maintenance beginning January 1, 1964. c. Florida Project Florida Project is located in southwestern Colorado, southeast of Durango in the Florida River Valley and on Florida Mesa. Its principal features include Lemon Dam on the Florida River with a reservoir capacity of 40,300 acre-feet, enlargement of the existing Florida Farmers Ditch and Florida Canal, and the construction of a new diversion dam. Irrigation laterals will be constructed to 2,210 acres of project lands. Flood control and fish and wildlife values will be improved. The project includes 5,730 acres of new land and 13,720 acres of presently irrigated land needing a supplemental water supply. Construction Activities On September 30, 1963, the construction of Lemon Dam, prime feature of the Florida Project, was 98 percent complete. Enlargement of the Florida Farmers Ditch and the Florida Canal and construction of the Diversion Dam have been completed. This work was accomplished in a little over 50 percent of the time allowed by the contract. Water was made available through the new irrigation system in April 1963 - approximately one year ahead of schedule. By contract with the Florida Water Conservancy District, the District is modifying and extending its existing distribution systems to provide suitable carriage and water measurement facilities to serve project lands. Stored project water in the Lemon Reservoir will be available on a rental basis during the 1964 irrigation season. It is planned to transfer the project facilities to the Florida Water Conservancy District for operation and maintenance beginning January 1, 1965. d. Silt Project An improved water supply for about 4,480 acres of partially irrigated land and a full supply for about 2,120 acres of new land will be provided by construction of the Silt Project between 57 |