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RED MESA RESERVOIR ENLARGEMENT <br /> STATUS REPORT <br /> 1.0 Introduction <br /> The Red Mesa (aka Mormon) Dam and Reservoir Enlargement is sponsored by the Red Mesa <br /> Ward Reservoir and Ditch Company (Company) who owns and operates the exiting dam. The <br /> Company contracted with Harris Water Engineering, Inc. (Engineer) to study the enlargement, <br /> perform the engineering analysis, and prepare this Report. <br /> The study was conducted under a contract between the Company and the Colorado Water <br /> Conservation Board (CWCB). Funding to perform the study was provided by the Company, the <br /> CWCB, and the Southwestern Water Conservation District. <br /> This Status and Concluding Report is a report of findings as of August, 2001 and a finding of <br /> non-feasibility based on the water rights held by the Company. However, the Animas-LaPlata <br /> and LaPlata Water Conservancy Districts are in the process of conducting a basin wide study of <br /> small alternative projects with the Red Mesa Reservoir Enlargement being one of the options. <br /> The basin wide report has been completed in June, 2000 and is titled "Western LaPlata County <br /> Water Management and Conservation Plan". The plan described herein was prepared in 1994 <br /> and 1995 to improve the irrigation water supply to primarily the Company shareholders using <br /> Company water rights and financing. Future plans for the enlargement will utilize other water <br /> rights, other financing, and have other entities as the lead entity. <br /> This study was conducted under the procedures of the CWCB. The following chapters of this <br /> report describe the findings and current status of the engineering analysis. <br /> 2.0 Purpose and Needs <br /> The Red Mesa Dam, though not presently under a restriction by the Colorado State Engineer, <br /> may be facing a restriction because of an inadequate spillway and an outlet gate tower in poor <br /> condition. The Company is investigating improvements to the dam so that a restriction is not <br /> imposed and the dam is repaired before the situation deteriorates into a crisis. <br /> • <br /> 3 <br />