The report of February 1953, upon which authorized construction plans were based, recommended a storage capacity for Prineville Reservoir of 155,000 acre-feet. A report on the project extension was prepared in March 1960. The rehabilitation and betterment of the lateral and drainage system was covered by a report completed in April 1973. The cost of this extra capacity was a deferred obligation until such time as additional lands were brought into the project. The 1956 Act authorized the Crooked River Project for irrigation and other beneficial purposes.
Flood control is one of the project purposes.
The preservation and propagation of fish and wildlife is provided for through the installation of a ladder and screen at the diversion headworks and a minimum release of 10 cubic feet per second for fishlife during months when there is no other discharge from Prineville Reservoir. Minimum basic recreation facilities were also authorized. Construction Ochoco Dam was rehabilitated in 1949-1950. Construction of Prineville Dam began in 1958, and was completed in 1961. Work on the Crooked River Extension began in 1966, and was completed in 1970.