PROJ02073

• Contract/PO #: C153686
• Contractor Name: Red Mesa Ward Reservoir and Ditch Company
• Contract Type: Grant
• Water District: 0
• Bill Number: HB 95-1155
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I

The domestic water demand is more difficult to estimate because there are several ways the
water may be used including: (1) plans of augmentation for domestic wells either individual
wells or a common well for several homes, (2) exchange water for upstream diversions to central
water systems, and (3) direct diversion from the reservoir to a central water system. A total of
330 acre-feet is included for domestic usage, which will be sold in a minimum of 1 acre-foot
increments.

The entities to purchase the domestic water are not identified. Individual wells which need
augmentation water are being drilled periodically but the amount and timing is not known.

7.0 Proiect Lands
The lands to be irrigated by the Red Mesa Reservoir enlargement have been classified as part of
the ALP studies using the Bureau of Reclamation's classification criteria.

Reclamation determined the arable acreage under the V ossburg, Freed, and Revival Ditches
respectively to be 720, 1,684, and 514 acres for a total of 2,920 potentially irrigated acres.
Presently only 1,600 acres is irrigated from direct diversions from the LaPlata River when water
is available. Of the 1,600 acres irrigated on a rotating basis, only 1,140 acres is irrigated from
the reservoir in anyone year due to the restricted water supply. There is far more acreage that
could be irrigated, 2,920 acres, than there is water.

8.0 Hydrology and Water Rights
The Red Mesa Ward Reservoir and Ditch Company holds the following water rights asociated
with Red Mesa Reservoir:

,/ 1,176 acre-foot absolute storage right for Red Mesa Ward Reservoir,
,/ 2,898 acre-foot conditional storage right for Red Mesa Ward Reservoir,
,/ 120 cfs absolute diversion from the LaPlata River for storage,
,/ All ofthe rights were adjudicated in 1915 and have an appropriation date of 1905,
,/ All of the rights are decreed for irrigation, domestic, municipal, industrial, recreation,
fish & wildlife, flood control and other beneficial purposes.

The water right decree is included in Exhibit C. The decree states in section 4.b. that "RED
MESA WARD RESERVOIR. This reservoir stores water from the LaPlata River and Hay
Gulch." The decree provides for storage of water from the LaPlata River through the Supply
Ditch (120 cfs decree) and inflow from Hay Gulch.

12