The Dolores Project ensures an adequate supply of water to meet existing and future agricultural and municipal needs. Investigations Definite plan studies were made and published in April 1977. Anticipated environmental impacts were detailed in the final environmental statement filed with the Council on Environmental Quality on May 9, 1977. An excavation program preceded each stage of construction to remove and preserve all significant findings. Benefits Irrigation Project water is available for 61,660 acres and benefits the area's economy by increasing agricultural production, and strengthening service-related enterprises dependent on agriculture.
Main crops are alfalfa, pasture, barley, oats, and corn silage for livestock feed.
The annual municipal and industrial water supply of 8,700 acre-feet will permit a moderate but healthy future growth in the area. Recreation and Fish and Wildlife Water releases from McPhee Reservoir created a downstream fishery. Releases from the reservoir in anticipation of snowmelt flows are managed to benefit white-water boaters. The project reservoirs and facilities provided new recreation opportunities for the public. Land acquired and managed for wildlife conservation created valuable and unthreatened habitat for a variety of wildlife species.