PROJ00540

• Contract/PO #: C153697
• Contractor Name: Norwood, Town of and Norwood Water Commission
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 60
• County: San Miguel
• Bill Number: FSL
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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The water rights cannot be utilized directly in
Norwood. However, a major advantage is that they
could be trades or leased; they could be useful if
there was a senior call on the San Miguel River,
which might affect one or more of the Town's
sources. It is probable that the Union Carbide
water rights will be available at a reasonable cost.

Feasibilitv. It appears that acquiring this water
right could be beneficial to the Town, although they
will not solve the present situation of inadequate
winter water supply. It is recommended that Norwood
contact the present consortium (Nucla, Naturita and
Montrose County) that have a first right of refusal
on the water rights, and determine if it would be
possible to be included in the agreement with Union
Carbide. Although the water rights cannot be used
directly, it may be possible to trade or lease the
rights.

10. Alternative 1Q = Form Association with San Miauel
Water Conservancv District to Construct Larqe Dam.

Discussion. San Miguel Water Conservancy District
has been endeavoring to construct a large irrigation
dam in the area for a number of years. Several
alternative concepts have been developed for new
reservoirs, most of which would divert water from
Beaver Creek. Alternatives that have been
considered include: enlargement of existing
reservoirs (Lone Cone and Lilly lands), and a new
reservoir designated as the Marie Scott Reservoir.
The primary purpose of the reservoirs would be to
provide irrigation water; however, it would be
feasible to set aside a certain amount of the water
for municipal use. However, since the reservoirs
would shut down during the winter time (as the
present irrigation reservoirs do), additional
facilities and operating procedures would have to be
developed to provide the small amount of water
needed by Norwood during the winter.

Feasibilitv. This approach does not appear to be
feasible at this time primarily due to the very
considerable expense and long time period needed to
implement this system. The reservoirs would provide
additional water for the area; however, it would
still be necessary to construct either a pipeline or
a smaller reservoir for the sole use of Norwood
during the winter. This concept would be very
similar to that being proposed for use of existing
Gurley Reservoir with the disadvantages of extra
cost and waiting period. Therefore, it does not
appear to be feasible to investigate this further.

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