WSP01413

• File Number: 8220.122.A
• Description: Paonia Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Gunnison
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 6/12/1947
• Title: Paonia Project Colorado ‎(Senate Document No. 61)‎
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

PAONIA P~OJECT~ COLORADO

3.

physical characteristics and lack of especially.attractive storage sites
on the watershed of the main stream have prevented full agricultural
development of the valley by local interests.
10. Irrigation farming over a long period has proven the climate and
the arable soils favorable for growing all crops common to a temperate
. zone. Fruit and livestock feeds are the principal crops grown where
water supply permits and small grains are grown where irrigation
water is limited. The tendency in the area is toward more intensive
farming 'and expansion in the growing of fruit, but is retarded by a
deficient late-season water supply. Livestock feeds ,are consumed
locally. A small portion of the other crops grown is consumed at
local towns and nearby mining camps. Outside marketing centers
for fruits .are -Denver, Kansas City, and Chicago. Some livestock is
sold on the west coast but the major portion is marketed at Denver
and points farther east. A number of producer's marketing associa-
tions are operating in the valley. The well-known North Fork coal
mining district of Colorado is located a short distance up the canyon
from project lands and the nearby mining camps offer favorable
seasonal employment..to many local farmers. A branch line of the
Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad and a surfaced highway
connecting with the main highway system of Colorado serve the area.
Population of the North Fork River Valley was approximately 5,300
in 1930 and 6,100 in 1940, all classified as being in the white race.
The increase in population has been largely in the agricultural sections
of the valley.

NEED OF DEVELOPMENT

11. North Fork River Valley is in urgent need of additional irriga-
tion development to inlpruvc the local economic conditions and to
provide for normal growth in future years. Irrigation farming is
well established in the valley, but very little new irrigation develop-
ment has taken place in the past 30 years. Irrigated lands are gen-
erally well improved and are in production so far as the water supply
and irrigation facilities permit. Over 65 percent of the 21,000 acres
now under irrigation in the valley suffer water shortages of varying
degrees in practically all years and in dry years serious crop failures are
experienced. Natural increase in popUlation during ,the long period
of dormant irrigation. expansion has resulted in over-subdivision of
farms with an mcreasing economic pressure and lowering of living
standards for the farm family. Under these conditions many people,
particularly young people, born and raised in the valley have been
forced to move out and seek a livelihood elsewhere. Local and State
officials have long recognized the need for further development of the
valley's water resources to provide supplemental water for lands now
inadequately irrigated and to provide for irrigation expansion and
normal growth of the valley. Works required for the needed irriga~
tion developments are, however, too large and costly for local financing,

PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT

12. Typical of other uncontrolled western streams 'the discharge
of the North Fork River. fluctuates widely. In the forepart of the
irrigation season stream flows exceed the capacity of canals and later

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