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e RED MESA RESERVOIR PLAN DESCRIPTION Red Mesa Reservoir is an existing reservoir located in the LaPlata River drainage in southwest Colorado, about 20 miles southwest of the City of Durango. The reservoir is located on Hay Gulch, a tributary to the LaPlata River. Figure 1 shows the general reservoir location, Figure 2 is a copy of a USGS Quad map showing the reservoir site and the lower portion of the drainage basin. The dam is owned by the Red Mesa Ward Reservoir and Ditch Company (Company). The address and contact person are: Red Mesa Ward Reservoir and Ditch Company J. Pat Greer, Board Chairman 588-3325 8097 County Road 100 Hesperus, Colorado 81326 Trent Taylor, Board Vice-Chairman 1290 County Road 102 Hesperus, Colorado 81326 588-3~95 e The structure does not have any serious problems that has caused the dam to be restricted by the Colorado State Engineer. The major concerns are: (1) the crest sags in the middle and is about 3 feet lower than the outside edges of the crest, (2) the outlet tower should be removed and a standard gate installed with hydraulic operation from the crest, and (3) the spillway needs to be enlarged to pass the flood from the 50% probable maximum precipitation (PMP) . The LaPlata River drainage is a water critical basin primarily because of the LaPlata River Compact with the State of New Mexico. The owners of the reservoir would like to enlarge the reservoir for additional irrigation water and to sell water for plans of augmentation required for domestic water usage in the basin. The drainage basin above the reservoir is a large basin that drains a gently sloping area, covered with pinion, pine, natural grass, and some irrigation. Enlargement of the dam would provide about 2900 acre-feet of additional storage. This reconnaissance report describes the preliminary embankment design, and estimated enlarging the Red Mesa Dam. engineering issues, construction costs of Red Mesa Dam 1