C153705 Feasibility Study

• Contract/PO #: C153705
• Contractor Name: Beaver Reservoir Company
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 59
• County: Gunnison
• Bill Number: SB 94-029
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I

4.0
STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION

4.1 BEAVER RESERVOIR

Beaver Reservoir is located in Gunnison County, approximately 8 miles southeast of
Paonia, Colorado, at an elevation of approximately 8100 feet: The dam is located in
Section 21, Township 14 South, Range 90 West, ano is situated 'onJhe East Fork of
Minnesota Creek, a tributary to Minnesota Creek and the North Fork of the Gunnison
River.

4.2 BEAVER RESERVOIR SERVICE AREA.

"
, '
The water stored in Beaver Reservoir is discharge'cl.to the, East Fork of Minnesota Creek
which flows into Minnesota Creek.-'FromJ'lilinnesotaCreek, the water is diverted into
the Minnesota Ditch or the Turner Ditch'as sh-;;wn'on Figure 4-1. These ditches serve
part of the area to the east and south ofPaonia as shown on Figure 4-2. In addition,
Beaver Reservoir water can be traded for water from the Lone Cabin reservoir and ditch
system, thereby extending,Jheeffective service area to the entire area shown on Figure
4-2. The location of Lone Cabin Ditch is shown on Figure 4-1.

'.
4.2.1 Physiography of Service Area

" ."~_._~',

, "
The Minnesota, 'Turner,'and !:one Cabin Ditches serve a combined service area of
approxim~teiy 4,300 acres of which approximately 3,400 acres is irrigated. The irrigated
area is'lo~ated, primarily gently sloping mesas and along valley bottoms. The soils are
typically alluvi~jin ~heJorm of stream, terrace, pediment and fan deposits. Shale from
the Mancos Formation outcrops extensively in and around the service area.
",

4.2.2 Climate

The service area is generally warm or hot in summer in most valleys but much cooler
in the mountains. Winters are cold in the mountains. Precipitation occurs in the

23067/Rl.4 09.03-93(9:46am)/RPT

4-1