WSP08827

• File Number: 8220.122.J
• Description: Paonia Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Gunnison
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 12/1/1971
• Title: Review of Condition of Project Facilities & Economy: Paonia Project CO
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

Introduction and Purpose

Early in June 1971 the Executive Secretary of the North Fork Water
.Conservancy District presented a report, "Fire Mountain Canal Permanent
Improvement '.', to the Bureau of Reclamation.' This. report prepared by
A.F. Burkhard Company, a construction company, presented the results
of studies made by the company early in 1971 on the condition of the
Fire Mountain Canal, a facility of the Paonia Project, Colorado. The
report concluded that the canal needed additional improvements which
Was estimated to cost about $1,080,000. Along with the report, a .
request was made by the District that the Bureau should consider ex-'
tending the present project Development Period of 10 years to allow
the Fire Mountain Canal Company additional time to accomplish the
work recomme~ded in the report.

As a result of the above request, repvesentatives of the Bureau
met with the District and Canal Company Directors on june 25, 1971.
The Bureau representatives agreed to review the problems including
the project area economy. It was agreed that much of the review would
have to be accomplished after the end of the 1971 irrigation season
and that the Bureau would then be able to complete its review about
January 1, 1972.

History of Paonia Project

Settlement of the North Fork Valley, where the Paonia Project is
located, started about 1880, and irrigation development followed rapidly
until about 1900. Early settlers were primarily interested in. the pro-
duction of livestock and forage crops. It was soon found, however,
that the area was particu1arly adapted to the production of fruit,
especia11y apples. The need for a late season water supply to mature
the apple crop lead the settlers to seek development of the Paonia
Project.

The Paonia Project area was supplied irrigation water by the Fire
Mountain Canal Company and the Leroux Creek Water Users Association
which was formed by the consolidation of several smaIl companies and
individuals in to one organization. Construction of the Fire Mountain
Canal was. initiated in about 1896 by localwater users and was fi!'lally
finished with a capacity of 80 c.Ls. at its head and 30 c.f.s. at
the end at Leroux Creek with .a length of 30 miles. Construction of
several small ditches diverting from Leroux Creek was star~ed about
1883 and several small reservoirs were built on Leroux Creek tribu-
taries in the early 1900s by individuals and smallcolXlpanies.

As a result of the 1934 drought, the people requested the Bureau
in 1936 to investigate the possibilities for construction of a project
to benefit the area. A report on the project was finished by the
Bureau in 1938. on the basis of this report, the .Paonia Project was
authorized for construction on March 18, 1939. Appropriations for

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