PROJ00509

• Contract/PO #: C153500
• Contractor Name: San Miguel Water Conservancy District
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 0
• County: San Miguel
• Bill Number: XB 99-999
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTION

The San Miguel Project study is sponsored by the San Miguel Water Conservancy District (SMWCD) and the
Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB). The objective of the study is to investigate several alternatives
for improving and expanding the existing irrigation systems located in the SMWCD area. The study is being
conducted in two phases. TIlis interim report is a summary of the first phase work.

Studv Area

The study area is located in San Miguel and Montrose counties of southwestern Colorado near the confluence

of the San Miguel and Dolores Rivers. New or improved project features would be located on tributaries on

the south side of the San Miguel River generally between Placerville and Naturita. A location and vicinity map

of the study area is presented in Figure 1-1.

Most of the study area depends on irrigation for successful crop production because rainfall during the growing

season is infrequent and irregular. Precipitation in the area averages approximately 9 inches or less during the

growing season. Because streamflows consist mostly of snowmelt from the mountains, streamflows exceed the

irrigation requirements during the spring, but are inadequate during the late summer when snowmelt has

diminished and irrigation requirements are greatest, Additional water supplies for irrigation in July, August

and September are needed, In a typical year in the Norwood-Redvale area, available water supplies are only

about 15 percent of the amount required for a full water supply during the late summer months.

Studv PartlclDants

Several organizations are involved in the study, they are:

o San Miguel Water Conservancy District - Water conservancy districts are organized under
state statute for the promotion and development of water projects in Colorado. The San
Miguel Water Conservancy District has a seven-member Board of Directors which includes
representatives from each of the major irrigation ditch companies in the study area. This
Board serves as the core of the study advisory panel.

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