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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6. Site #3 -- Large Acreage Alternative

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Saltado Dam would be located on the San Miguel River 3.6 miles

upstream of the mouth of Saltado Creek. The resultantSaltado

Reservoir would back water up the valley 3.1 miles, inundating a

portion of Placerville west of the junction of State Highway 145

and 62. The reservoir would have a maximum surface area of 395 acres.

A portion of Highway 145 would have to be moved because the reservoir

would inundate part of the present road alignment. Also, the flooded

part of "Old" Placerville would be relocated.

Project water would be sent down the canyon via a 11.5 mile

pipeline, which would terminate at a pumping plant on the south side

of the San iiiguel Canyon below the top of the Norwood Hill. The pumping

plant would lift the water 310 feet to Wright's Mesa, where it would

enter Basin Canal, which in turn would convey the water across the

mesa and on to Dry Creek Basin. Water from the existing collection

and delivery system would be consolidated with the San Miguel water,

and would be used to irrigate land on Wright's Mesa, and in the Lilylands

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and Dry Creek Basin. This would involve some upgrading of the present

system, including the rehabilitation of Gurley Canal.

The San Miguel Project, with this alternative would furnish

12;000 acre-feet of water for the proposed Colorado-Ute generating plant,

and 2,000 acre-feet for domestic use on Wright's Mesa. Twelve thousand

seven hundred acres of supplemental service land and 7,060 acres of

full service land would be provided with irrigation water by the

project. A buried pipe lateral system would be built to provide

pressure for the anticipated sprinkler irrigation system.