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 2.0
PROJECT SPONSOR

2.1 History

The San Miguel Water Conservancy District was incorporated by decree of

the District Court in and for the County of San Miguel on September 9, 1957 in

Civil Action No. 9042. The District office is located in Norwood, Colorado and

encompasses 506 square miles in San Miguel and Montrose Counties.

Local farmers, ranchers, and businessmen formed the District to foster

development of the planned San Miguel Water Project, then under consideration

by the U.S. Congress as one of five Upper Colorado River Basin projects. It

was anticipated that the Dsitrict would serve as the general administrative and

contracting agency for the federal project's reclamation and joint use

facility. Originally, the San Migeul project was intended to irrigate 39,960

acres of land in the Norwood-Redvale, Mailbox Park, East Lilylands, Dry Creek

Basin, and East Paradox Valley areas. The plan envisioned a dam in the San

Miguel River, offstream regulating reservoirs, and a series of canals to serve

the area. The project plan was reformulated to meet changing economic and

environmetal requirements but has never been funded for construction. The need

for irrigation water still exists in the area and recently smaller scale

projects have received consideration.

2.2 Laws and Powers of Organization

The San Migeul Water Conservation District was formed pursuant to Chapter

150, Articel 5, Colorado Revised Statutes 1963. The powers of water

conservancy districts are set forth in C.R.S. ~~37-45-118 through 126. These

powers include that of eminent domain, acquisition of right-of-way, and levying

taxes and assessments. The District may enter into contractual arrangements

with organizations such as the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The District

also has the authority to sell, lease, encumber, alien, or otherwise dispose of

water, waterworks, water rights, and sources of supply of water for use within

the District.

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