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If:: ~ M . . The project area is located along the ..stern portion of tile Cole- c rado Plateau, a large area of elevated, essentially horizontal sedi- mentary rocks. The area has been altered by uplifting, faulting, and natural erosion into a series of deep canyons, intervening lIIesas, valleys, and broad basins. The San Miguel River is located in a deep, narrow canyon along the northern boundary of the project area. The San Miguel River and its tributaries are the primary source of water in the project area. The streams generally receive water from melting snows in the mountain headwaters: consequently, their flows fluctuate widely. The river originates in the mountains above the town of Telluride, located about 17 miles east of Placerville, and flowa northwest for about 65 miles to its confluence with the Dolores River, which, in turn, joins the Colorado River in eastern Utah. For moat of its length the San Miguel River is confined to a narrow, deep gorge. Within the project area, the river is joined by several tributaries that head northward across project land. The largest of these tributaries are the South Fork of the San Miguel River and Fall, Specie, Saltado, Beaver, and Naturita Creeks, all of which are perennial streams, and Broad Canyon, its tributary Hamilton Creek, and Dry Creek, which have inter- mittent flows. Several private ditch companies own and operate a water collection, storage, and distribution system that provides an approximate 45 to 50 percent water supply to approximately 13,000 acres of land. The only storage reservoirs in the area - Gurley, Cone, and Lilylands - have capacities of 10,900 acre-feet, 1,800 acre-feet, and 500 acre-feet, respectively. 4