WSP01115

• File Number: 8220.126.J
• Description: San Miguel Project
• State: CO
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 12/5/1979
• Title: San Miguel Project: Alternative Plans of Development
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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5. Site #3 -- Small Acreage Alternative

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The SIte #3 -- Small Acreage Alternativ~ would have Saltado

Dam located on the San Miguel River 2.D miles downstream of the

junction of Highways 145 and 62. Saltado Reservoir would extend

up the San Miguel Canyon 2.7 miles, and when full, would cover 309

acres. Sections of "Old" Placerville would be flooded, necessitating

the relocation of buildings and other structures. A portion of

Highway 145 would also have to be moved.

A pipeline would convey water from the reservoir down the San

Migu~l Canyon to a pumping plant, which would be located below the

top of Norwood Hill. The water would be pumped 390 feet to Wright's

Mesa, where ~t would enter Basin Canal. The canal would head south

and then west across the Mesa, and would terminate one mile south of

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Norwood. Water from the existing irrigation system on Wright's Mesa

would be combined with the water from Saltado Reservoir to form the

overall water system, and Gurley Ditch would be rehabilitated.

The San Miguel Project, developed under this alternative plan,

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would previde i~rigation water for 11,480 acres of supplemental and

3,670 acres of full service land. Only land on Wright's Mesa would

be irrigated. Buried pipe laterals would provide pressure for sprinkler

irrigation with the project water. Fourteen thousand acre-feet of

municipal and industrial water would also be provided annually by the

project under this alternative. Twelve thousand acre-feet would be

allocated for the proposed Colorado-Ute Electric Association coal-fired

generating plant; the remaining 2,000 acre-feet would be set aside

for domestic use on Wright's Mesa.

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