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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Problem <br /> <br />Under present operating conditions, almost none of the land <br />presently irrigated has an adequate water supply. Shortages do <br />occur in the latter part of the irrigation season because storage <br />capacity in the system is not large enough to cover all of a <br />season's water requirements. This results in decreased crop <br />yields, limitations on the types of crops grown, and areas of <br />potentially irrigable lands being underdeveloped, as is the case <br />in East Paradox Valley. <br /> <br />Reconnaissance Study <br /> <br />In January, 1984, the Colorado Water Conservation Board <br />proposed that alternatives to the federally authorized San Miguel <br />Project be studied in light of the dim prospects for Congressional <br />funding for this federal project. The Board authorized 50% <br />funding for a reconnaissance study, and the Southwestern Water <br />Conservation District and the San Miguel Water Conservancy <br />District provided the balance of the funding. That study is now <br />in the process of being completed by Western Engineers, Inc., a <br />Grand Junction consulting firm, and is the basis of the <br />recommendations on the project. <br /> <br />proposed project <br /> <br />Phase 2 of the San Miguel Water Conservancy District Project, <br />as proposed, would involve the following: <br /> <br />(A) J & M Hughes Ditch Enlargement. <br /> <br />The J & M Hughes Ditch is an existing canal about 20 miles <br />long for which improvements and a general enlargement is <br />proposed. The proposed improvements would be directed towards <br />reducing the need for annual maintenance and improving the ability <br />of the canal to divert and collect water. The initial capacity of <br />the proposed enlargement would be about 115 cfs. 'It is estimated <br />that this would bring about 20,000 acre-feet of additional water <br />into the project area via the Hughes ditch. <br /> <br />(8) Marie-Scott Reservoir No.2. <br /> <br />The Marie-Scott Reservoir No. 2 is located on Saltado Creek <br />near the Marie-Scott Camp. A dike is proposed at the north end of <br />the valley near the saddle leading out on to Beaver Mesa. The <br />maximum embankment height of Marie-Scott would be about 190 feet <br />and the additional storage available to the system would be about <br />20,000 acre-feet. The J & M Hughes Ditch would be able to release <br />water into the reservoir as required. <br /> <br />(C) Beaver Park Ditch and Beaver Canyon Siphon. <br /> <br />The Beaver Park Ditch is an integral part of the Marie-Scott <br />Reservoir system, as water is supplied to the project area from <br /> <br />-2- <br />