The Colorado River and Its Development 539 



with ultimate return of the cost to the government by the sale of 

 power. 



ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS 



Although crystallization of sentiment in favor of Boulder Can- 

 yon project has made considerable headway, still some widely divergent 

 views are being expressed, and it may not be impertinent to discuss 

 alternative proposals. It is contended that for many reasons the river 

 development should begin farther upstream. That the Boulder Canyon 

 site is the one nearest to the best market for power is a sound argu- 

 ment. Of the other arguments advanced for that site, some are not 

 valid, and the others may be met by the statement that extensive stor- 

 age in the upper basin can be followed advantageously, and will be, by 

 projects providing additional storage on the lower river. If the flood 

 hazard is removed or is greatly reduced by means of extensive storage 

 in Utah, the Boulder Canyon dam can be built at much less cost and 

 in fewer years. Further, if the river regulation is effected in the 

 upper basin, the power sites from Glen Canyon to Boulder Canyon 

 inclusive become much more valuable, since the water supply is equal- 

 ized, and because less reserve space is required for detention purposes. 

 The upper locations will be developed eventually ; why not now ? 



From that standpoint, the Dewey site on the Grand River and the 

 Flaming Gorge site on the Green offer the best solution. Both dams 

 could be built at once, and the total cost would be only about $25,000,- 

 000. The Juniper Mountain reservoir would cost $4,000,000. These 

 sites are above the great silt-gathering area of the drainage basin. 

 The Flaming Gorge and Dewey reservoirs would provide ample late- 

 summer water supply for the lower basin for many years to come. The 

 Flaming Gorge reservoir would serve to reduce the spring floods on 

 the Green River one-third, and the Dewey reservoir would take the 

 peak off from the spring floods of the Grand. The Dewey reservoir 

 would be operated so as to be entirely empty at the beginning of the 

 flood period. Both dams could be completed in five years. It is 

 premised, however, that the construction of these dams would be fol- 

 lowed by that of one or more others farther downstream, — possibly 

 one on the San Juan or at Lee's Ferry, and either the Diamond Creek 

 dam or Boulder Canyon dam or both. The dams on the headwaters 

 should be built under the same theory of government as were the 



