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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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Introduction

This report summarizes the results of Phase One of the San Miguel study for review by the study participants and
by the public. This study was authorized by the Colorado Legislature in HB 1042 of the 1985 session and 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.

Studv Area

The study area is located in San Miguel and Montrose counties of southwestern Colorado on the south side of the
San Miguel River generally between Placerville and Naturita. Surface drainage in the study area is provided by a
system of streams which flow generally from southwest to northwest and into the San Miguel River. The major
tributaries to the San Miguel are, from downstream to upstream, Naturita Creek, Beaver Creek, Saltado Creek
and Fall Creek,

Irrigated agriculture has been practiced in the study area since the late 1800's. Currently, the area is served by
three major ditch companies; the Farmers' Water Development Company (which operates the Gurley System)
serving the Norwood-Redvale area; the Lone Cone Ditch and Reservoir Company serving the Norwood area; and
the Lilylands Canal and Reservoir Company serving the East Lilylands and Dry Creek areas, In addition, the
privately owned J & M Hughes Ditch serves irrigated pastureland on Beaver Mesa.

Water Availability and Water Demands

The two basic sources of water available for growing crops in the San Miguel study area are natural precipitation
and streamflow diverted for irrigation. Precipitation depths over the study area are low. Irrigation water is
supplied by diverting streamflow produced by snowmelt runoff from the mountains to the south. Streamflows are
high in the spring but low in the summer when crop water demands are high. Additional water supplies for
irrigation are needed in the late summer months,

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