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

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RED MESA RESERVOIR ENLARGEMENT
STATUS REPORT

1.0 Introduction
The Red Mesa (aka Mormon) Dam and Reservoir Enlargement is sponsored by the Red Mesa
Ward Reservoir and Ditch Company (Company) who owns and operates the exiting dam. The
Company contracted with Harris Water Engineering, Inc. (Engineer) to study the enlargement,
perform the engineering analysis, and prepare this Report.

The study was conducted under a contract between the Company and the Colorado Water
Conservation Board (CWCB). Funding to perform the study was provided by the Company, the
CWCB, and the Southwestern Water Conservation District.

This Status and Concluding Report is a report of findings as of August, 2001 and a finding of
non-feasibility based on the water rights held by the Company. However, the Animas-LaPlata
and LaPlata Water Conservancy Districts are in the process of conducting a basin wide study of
small alternative projects with the Red Mesa Reservoir Enlargement being one of the options.
The basin wide report has been completed in June, 2000 and is titled "Western LaPlata County
Water Management and Conservation Plan". The plan described herein was prepared in 1994
and 1995 to improve the irrigation water supply to primarily the Company shareholders using
Company water rights and financing. Future plans for the enlargement will utilize other water
rights, other financing, and have other entities as the lead entity.

This study was conducted under the procedures of the CWCB. The following chapters of this
report describe the findings and current status of the engineering analysis.

2.0 Purpose and Needs
The Red Mesa Dam, though not presently under a restriction by the Colorado State Engineer,
may be facing a restriction because of an inadequate spillway and an outlet gate tower in poor
condition. The Company is investigating improvements to the dam so that a restriction is not
imposed and the dam is repaired before the situation deteriorates into a crisis.

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