OCR Text |
Show interagency preliminary investigations ( Type I Studies) show a projected requirement for most, if not all, of this water to be used within the Bear River Basin. The use of Bear River water is a long- range alternative to the Ute Indian Unit, but not the Bonneville Unit. Importation of water from the Bear River to the Bonneville Unit service area could physically be accomplished by a combination of high- and low- level diversions. The high- level diversion would require a 25,000- acre- foot Lower Whitney Reservoir on West Fork of the Bear River, a 1+ 60,000- acre- foot reservoir on Yellow Creek, and conveyance facilities to the Wasatch Front via Chalk Creek and the Weber River. A lU, 500- acre- foot enlargement of Woodruff Narrows Reservoir and a 22,000- acre- foot Ashby Dam and Reservoir on Smith's Fork would also be required. These facilities would be needed to effect the transfer and improve and maintain the water supply of the Bear River Basin water users. An estimated 355000 acre- feet of water annually could be delivered to the Wasatch Front through this high- level diversion. The low- level transfer would require a reservoir ( Eoneyville) on the lower Bear River and conveyance facilities and pumping plants to deliver water to the points of use in the Bonneville Unit service area. The lower level diversion from Bear River would require pumping as well as treatment for municipal and industrial use. For the combined high- and low- level diversions on Bear River, the cost per acre- foot of water for municipal use in Salt Lake County would be about $ 132 per acre- foot, not including Bonneville Unit incurred costs. Figure H- 9 shows details of the Bear River transfer alternative plans. Present Environment The reservoir site on West Fork of the Bear River ( Lower Whitney) is in the upper watershed ( elevation 8235- 8^ 00), with pine trees, fir, conifer, quaking aspen, and alpine meadows in the reservoir basin. Yellow Creek Reservoir site is in the foothill country ( elevation 7000- 7250), with native vegetation consisting mostly of low- growing brush and grasses. This area is used for sheep grazing. Woodruff Narrows Reservoir enlargement ( elevation 6kk0) would be located on meadow- hay land and pastureland. Ashby Dam and Reservoir ( elevation 7000- 7200) is in foothill country similar to Yellow Creek Reservoir. Honeyville Reservoir, located near the mouth of Bear River 541 |