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wlder` w <br />BASIN FOCUS: SAN JUAN AND DOLORES RIVERS <br />�ch year, Headwaters selects one river <br />basin to explore in depth, giving read- <br />ers insight into the area's major river <br />systems, local land use, environment, <br />water rights and storage, recreation, and <br />the people who manage and monitor <br />the area's water resources. For our basin <br />focus this fall, the Foundation selected <br />the Dolores and San Juan River Basins of <br />southwest Colorado. <br />Interviews with conservancy district <br />managers, watershed coalition organiz- <br />ers, lawyers, ranchers, tribal leaders, and <br />engineers in charge of construction of <br />the Animas -La Plata project highlighted <br />the breadth of the water concerns in this <br />predominantly and area. <br />It is a diverse landscape. How quick- <br />ly the country changes as one travels <br />from the forested green headwaters of <br />the Dolores River near Lizard Head Pass, <br />to the dry mesas and meager flows of the <br />La Plata River near the New Mexico state <br />line. And let us not forget that this mod- <br />est basin is also part of the larger Upper <br />Colorado River —one of the most heavily used and politically - <br />divisive river systems in the world. <br />Yet upon further study, what quickly becomes apparent <br />is how closely these watersheds and water management <br />concerns interconnect. Not only 'geographically but also <br />metaphorically, the Animas -La Plata- project sits near the <br />center of the basin —the 30 -year wait for its construction <br />embodying many of the region's greate §t hopes and fears <br />Standing on the south end of the future dam embankment, Barry Longwell, Animas -La Plata <br />deputy construction engineer, explains Ridges Basin Dani construction operations to Karla Brown, <br />CFWE executive director The future dam will fill the valley below, running north -south to inter- <br />sect Carbon Mountain in the background. <br />71 <br />for its water future. <br />Although there were many more stories we could have <br />told, we hope this issue will expose readers in Colorado and <br />throughout the West to the communities and resources of the <br />San Juan and Dolores river systems. I also would like to thank <br />all of the region's water leaders who took time from their busy <br />schedules to help explain their concerns, showcase their proj- <br />ects, and have their pictures taken. <br />Karla Brown <br />Editor and Executive Director <br />