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Show t:. ''- -"'. "v- ... ..... . .. t I : - - j L - f ? - - k ' I"-"" . - . r - w - " . ' .- -hi. ,v i .. ' --s.: . .K-.' , J,. ' -.. 1 CURRANT CREEK DAM Heavy equipment operators cut away the base of dam as the project cqontinues with completion scheduled schedul-ed 3 years away. Dam Is 5 complete. Construction of Strawberry Dam Is Key Project in Wasatch Front Water DUCHESNE The construction construc-tion of a dam 20 miles northeast north-east of Strawberry Reservoir now underway is a key project In providing the Wasatch front with vitally needed water in future years. After a three construction year delay because of the need for an Environmental Impact Im-pact Statement and environmental environ-mental lawsuits, Lynn Ludlow, general manager of the Central Utah Water Conservancy District, Dist-rict, reports work on the dam project is five percent completed comple-ted with $1,300,505 contract earnings to date. Water officials point out that Current Creek is an essential link in the Strawberry aque-duet, aque-duet, acting as a stabilizer between be-tween the acqueduct's extremities extremi-ties Strawberry Reservoir and the Upper Stillwater Reservoir. Reser-voir. "The completion of these water storage projects will result re-sult in an adequate water reserve re-serve for the Wasatch front at all times of the year, as opposed op-posed to the threat of water rationing which Salt Lake was potentially faced with this year during the dry months," Ludlow said. Construction started on Cur- rent Creek three months ago with anticipated completion of the $18 million dam in about three years and the reservoir filled in another four years. S. J. Goves & Son contractors, contrac-tors, completed two and a half miles of access roads to the dam placed 22 culverts, excavated exca-vated for the dam right abutment abut-ment and placed 15,000 cubic yards of embankment for an anticipated boat ramp, Ludlow reported, "Current Creek will have approximately ap-proximately 290 surface acres and its location near the high Uintas should make it a prime site for trout fishing and other recreational uses," he continued. contin-ued. "Plans for recreation development devel-opment in the area include campgrounds, boat ramps and other facilities," the water official offi-cial said. The low profile reservoir will have a 138 foot high dam. Current Creek is one of nine reservoirs in the Bonneville Unit. Along with the Upper Stillwater reservoirs planned are Hayes Jordanvelle, Lower S til water,, and Lamp ton. Completed Com-pleted reservoir projects include inclu-de Bottle Hollow, Strawberry and Starvation. Ludlow pointed out that many Utahns are unfamiliar with the massive water storage stor-age plan. The purpose of the Central Utah Project is to conserve con-serve regulate and divert Utah water now flowing off the south slopes of the Uinatah mounains into the Green and Colorado rivers and eventually out-of-state. He said the massive and complicated reclamation project pro-ject is needed to provide better water resources for the state and end the anual threat of water rationing such as that being experienced this year in the Uintah Basin area. "The Uintah Basin area doesn't does-n't stand alone in water shortages. short-ages. Utah is the second driest stat in the nation and we can't utilize the little water we have to our best advantage, without additional water storage facilities." |