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Show previously irrigated and a full water supply provided for 2,230 acres of new land. Fish and wildlife values in the area will be enhanced, and flood damages will be decreased. b. Smith Fork The Smith Fork Project was completed in the fall of 1962 and is now furnishing irrigation water to project lands. The project was dedicated by Secretary of the Interior, Hon. Stewart L. Udall, on April 20, 1963, in a ceremony held at Crawford Dam. The project was transferred to the Crawford Water Conservancy District for operation and maintenance on January 1, 1964. Smith Fork Project is located in Delta County, along the Smith Fork of the Gunnison River. The principal features include Crawford Dam and Reservoir, Smith Fork Diversion Dam, Smith Fork Feeder Canal, and the Aspen Canal. The Crawford Reservoir, capacity of 13,650 acre-feet, has been constructed on Iron Creek, a tributary of Smith Fork. The reservoir regulates the flow of Iron Creek and surplus flows of the Smith Fork that are conveyed to it by the Smith Fork Feeder Canal. Small quantities of reservoir storage water are released to Iron Creek and diverted by several small existing ditches. The remainder is released to the new Aspen Canal and conveyed by this canal to existing ditches for distribution. Some of the storage water releases through the Aspen Canal replace present direct flow diversions from Smith Fork, thus permitting additional direct flow diversions to be made higher on the stream through existing ditches. Recreation facilities on Crawford Reservoir have been completed. Smith Fork Project will provide a full water supply for irrigating 1,423 acres of new land and a supplemental supply for 8,056 acres of irrigated land located near Crawford, Colorado. c. 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 Lemon Dam on the Florida River with a reservoir capacity of 40,100 acre-feet, enlargement of the existing Florida Farmers Ditch and Florida Canal, Florida Diversion Dam, and construction of the Florida laterals to serve approximately 2,210 additional acres of project lands. Flood control and fish and wildlife values are enhanced. The project includes 5,730 acres of new land and 13,720 acres of presently irrigated land needing a supplemental water supply. 97 |
