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RED MESA RESERVOIR ENLARGEMENT <br /> STATUS REPORT <br /> SUMMARY OF FINDINGS <br /> Introduction <br /> Red Mesa Ward (aka Mormon) Reservoir is owned by the Red Mesa Ward Reservoir and Ditch <br /> Company (Company) and is located in southwestern Colorado on Hay Gulch in the LaPlata <br /> River drainage. The existing reservoir is 1,172 acre-feet in size. Due to low interest rates, <br /> relatively good hay prices, the necessity for repairs to the existing dam, and the need for <br /> domestic and/or augmentation water; the Company is investigating the possibility of enlarging <br /> the reservoir to 4,070 acre-feet for which they have water rights. <br /> Current Status <br /> In January, 1995 a draft feasibility study was circulated for review and comment. The water <br /> supply was based on the assumption that the Company could divert its water rights during the <br /> winter. The CWCB authorized a loan of up to $2,250,000 for a $3,000,000 project based upon <br /> the draft feasibility study. <br /> In 1996 the Company attempted to divert its winter water rights from the LaPlata River, which <br /> resulted in a call on other water rights. The ensuing legal action by the other water rights <br /> precluded the diversion of the Red Mesa Reservoir direct flow water rights during the winter and <br /> has stopped further progress on the enlargement in the manner described in the 1995 draft <br /> feasibility study. <br /> Since 1996, the water users in the LaPlata River basin have been attempting to develop a plan <br /> whereby the enlargement would benefit the entire basin rather than just the Company. Though <br /> progress is being made to develop such a plan, as described in the June, 2000 "Western LaPlata <br /> County Water Management and Conservation Plan", the parties have not yet reached an <br /> agreement. The conceptual plan would have the enlargement developed under the auspices of <br /> the LaPlata Water Conservancy District in partnership with the Company. <br /> Rather than continue to maintain the CWCB authorization of $2,250,000, the Company has <br /> concluded that the enlargement is not feasible under the assumptions described herein which was <br /> the basis for the $2,250,000 construction authorization. <br /> Project Description <br /> The following description summarizes the enlargement described herein and in the 1995 draft <br /> feasibility study. <br /> The existing dam requires repairs to the outlet tower and enlargement of the spillway. Though <br /> the State Engineer has not imposed a restriction on the reservoir because of these problems, the <br /> Company is attempting to correct the problems before a crisis is imposed. <br />