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Show pastoral scene. These structures and the attendant construction scars could never be fully blended with the natural environment. An esthetic alteration would therefore be inevitable. 5. Cumulative Effects on the Central Utah Project As explained in Section A, the Bonneville Unit would be one of six units which collectively would form the Central Utah Project ( refer to Figure C- 18). The other units include Vernal ( already constructed) , Jensen, Upalco, Uintah, and Ute Indian. Environmental statements would be prepared for all of the Units except Vernal which is completed and in operation. Environmental input would be utilized in the decision- making process. This sub- section contains an overall but, of necessity, a cursory discussion of each of the remaining Units with a general array of the major individual and cumulative impacts that would result if the Central Utah Project were developed. a. Vernal Unit146 ( 1) Description The Vernal Unit, which serves irrigation and municipal water to Ashley Valley in northeastern Utah, is essentially complete. Although all required drains have not yet been constructed, this Unit has been supplying water to the valley for more than 10 years. Major features of the Vernal Unit are: Steinaker Dam and Reservoir, Fort Thornburgh Diversion Dam, Steinaker Feeder Canal, and Steinaker Service Canal. Figure C- 19 is a sketch map showing these features. Water is diverted from Ashley Creek at Fort Thornburgh Diversion Dam approximately 2 miles northwest of Maeser and delivered to Steinaker Reservoir by Steinaker Feeder Canal. The reservoir is an off- stream impoundment located in Steinaker Draw and has a storage capacity of 37,560 acre- feet. Active storage capacity of the reservoir is 33,200 acre- feet, leaving a minimum pool of 4,360 acre- feet. Normal water surface area is 840 acres. Farm land is found on the west of the reservoir. To the south and east is a long ridge which contains the dam. To the north runs Steinaker Draw. The area traversed by the 16.5 miles of Unit canals and 17- mile pipe system is farmed extensively. 406 |
