PROJ00505

• Contract/PO #: C153419
• Contractor Name: San Miguel Water Conservancy District
• Water District: 0
• County: San Miguel
• Bill Number: XB 99-999
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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CHAPTER 1.0
GENERAL INFO~ATION

1.1 Location

The Lone Cone Reservoir enlargement proj ect is located in San Miguel

County in southwestern Colorado. The reservoir is approximately ten miles

south of Norwood, Colorado and is located in Section 12, T43N, R13W, N.M., P.M.

The project area is distant from major centers of trade. Montrose is

located approximately 70 miles to the northeast, Cortez approximately 100 miles

to thE! south, and Grand Junction approximately 125 miles to the north. The

main transportation route into the area is State Highway 145 and County Road 44

ZS.

All project lands lie in the San Miguel River drainage basin. The San

Miguel River is tributary to the Dolores River. Water that enters the project

area is collected from high mountain water sheds to the south and east. The

llresent main source of water to the Cone Reservoir is the Cone Ditch which

transports water from Lone Cone mountain in the Uncompahgre National Forest.

Project location and service areas maps are shown on Figure 1-1.

1.2 Climate

The climate in the project area is temperate and semi-arid, typical of

high mountain valleys in the region. The reservoir is located at elevation

8328 feet. Summers are characterized by warm days and cool nights. Winters

can be severe. The mean annual temperature at Norwood is 44.30F. Annual

precipitation in the project area is approximately 14-inches with less than

one-half falling during the growing season. The average growing season is

approximately 140 days with an average frost-free period of approximately 104

days.

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