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" .1.1 ,I II .1 II . '! 1963, Development History Settlement and irrigation of the Mancos Valley began about 1876. The natural flow of the Mancos River during the months of July, August, and September was very low, and the irrigation water supply for those months was inadequate. By 1893, whm a state adjudication of water was made, late summer demands for irrigation water far exceeded the supply. To alleviate the shortage, three small reservoirs storing approximately 1,500 acre-feet of water were built by local irrigation organizations. Investigaltions In 1937, Burelau of Reclamation investigations led to the conclusion that the Jackson Gulch Reservoir site, an offstream storage basin, was the only site of sufficient size to furnish an adequate project water supply. At that time, the project did not appear economically feasible but it received further consideration under the Water Conservation and Utilization Act of August 11, 1939. Detailed project investigations, initiated in November 1940, followed approval of the project. Authorization The project was approved by the President on October 21, 1940, under the Water Conservation and Utilization Program Act of August 11,1939 (53 Stat. 1418), as amended October 14,1940 (54 stat. 1119). Construction Construction began on July 24, 1941, and completed on May 18, 1950. The first water from Jackson Gulch Reservoir was delivered to the water users in 1949. Construction for thi~ project was delayed by World War II. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) started to build the dam under Bureau of Reclamation supervision. In March 1942, the CCC organization was disbanded and a group of Civilian Public Service assignees resumed the construction work by contract after the war ended. The major project works were completed between May 1947 and Decernber 1948. Benefits Irrigation A dependable: supplemental water supply for project lands adds to the economy of the area. Principal crops are alfalfa, grass hay, irrigated pasture, wheat, oats, barley, and com silage. Domestic., Municipal, and Industrial Mesa Verde National Park, the community of Mancos and the Mancos Rural Water Cornpany subscribed for reservoir storage to emure a permanent source of domestic water for the future growth of Mancos Valley. Recreathm and Fish and Wildlife Jackson Gulch Reservoir has a surface area of about 220 acres at total capacity. The reservoir is stocked with trout by the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. There are many good camping and picnicking sites, and hunting for the plentiful deer and elk in the area is permitted in season. Recreation facilities at the reservoir were developed and are managed by the Bureau of Rec1arnation. Power The Mancos Water Conservancy District privately constructed and operates a 250-kv powerplant on this project.