| OCR Text |
Show would be released into Chalk Creek through a 1.9- mile- long tunnel which would increase the flow in this stream and also in the Weber River from Echo Reservoir to the mouth of Weber Canyon. The increased flow in these streams could cause additional erosion and flooding. Protection would be required in some portions of the stream. Excessive undercutting is taking place even now in these portions. The diversion of high quality water from the upper Bear River would cause a deterioration in water quality downstream on the Bear River. Also, because of this diversion, less water would be available for storage in Bear Lake. This could affect recreational facilities around the lake. The existing powerplants on Bear River would have less water available for hydroelectric power production. The low- level transfer of water from the Bear* River would require construction of Honeyville Reservoir. This would inundate about 23 miles of the Bear River and about 3,600 acres of cropland and pastureland. This section of the river is used mainly by waterfowl and pheasants. It is also used to some extent as a warm water fishery. A pipeline would extend from Honeyville Reservoir to Willard Reservoir. Pipelines below the areas of major population would be needed to convey the water to Salt Lake County for both the high- and low- level transfers. Construction of the pipeline from Honeyville Reservoir to Willard Reservoir and from there to Salt Lake County would cause environmental disruption of both short- and long- term duration in the same manner as described for the Weber River importation alternative. This alternative would reduce flows of the following streams: West Fork of the Bear River, 2 miles of Class III fishery; Bear River, 6l miles of Class III and 35 miles of Class IV fishery in Utah, and all of the river in Wyoming and Idaho; Smith's Fork in Wyoming, 22 miles- a good fishery but not classified by the Utah Department of Natural Resources, the source of the other stream classification. The following streams will receive increased flows: Yellow Creek in Wyoming, l6 miles; Chalk Creek, 21 miles; Weber River, 30 miles; Jordan River, 31 miles. In addition to the impacts above, the construction of dams will create scars which may not be completely healed. 544 |
