PROJECT INFORMATION:
The Little Snake Water Conservancy District is located in the Little
Snake River Basin in Carbon County, Wyoming and Moffat County, Colorado.
The Little Snake Water Conservancy District was formed in 1959 in
response to a proposed Bureau of Reclamation water project (Savery -
Pothook) which was never constructed. The district serves 80 Wyoming
landowners who hold water rights on 10,690 acres near Baggs, Wyoming.
An additional 3,640 acres are irrigated in Colorado. The district
utilizes water from a number of diversions on tributaries and the main
stem of the Little Snake River.
The Level I study was completed in 1992. The purpose of this study was
to 1) perform a feasibility analysis of nine reservoir sites located
either on Savery Creek or on tributaries to the Little Snake River, 2)
evaluate the need to rehabilitate seven irrigation diversion dams
located on tributaries and the main stem of the Little Snake River, 3)
inventory the existing irrigation diversions and water delivery systems
in the Little Snake Valley and evaluate the feasibility of combining
some of the systems, 4) inventory two canals and describe those
rehabilitation measures which may be necessary to eliminate safety
problems, bottlenecks and high maintenance areas to ensure more
efficient operation of the water supply system, and 5) evaluate the need
to provide the Town of Baggs with a more reliable water source.
Upon review of the Level I report, the conservancy district requested
funding for the construction of four (4) diversion dams and headgates on
the Little Snake River. In addition, the project will include extensive
rehabilitation of the First Mesa and West Side supply canals and
appurtenances.
In 1993, the Little Snake Water Conservancy District obtained
assignments of real property from the various ditch companies so that
the district would be in a position to meet its project obligations to
the WWDC. An engineering consultant was retained and the final project
configuration was developed in consultation with the WWDC Construction
Division. The plans and specifications were prepared for four (4)
diversion structures and construction bids were received in January,
1994.
The four (4) diversion dams and major canal improvements have been
completed. Three additional ditch companies requested to be included in
the project. Both the WWDC and Select Water Committee approved their
request. Enabling legal documents have been executed. Construction has
been completed for most of the additional facilities. At this time
there remains a few repairs and clean-up before the project is declared
completely finished. The project will be completed in the spring of
1998.
RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
No legislative action is needed on this project.
