WSP01498

• File Number: 8220.106
• Description: Animas-La Plata
• State: CO
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 1/1/1981
• Author: BOR
• Title: Animas-La Plata Project
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Project Overview

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Animas-La Plata Project -
Colorado and New Mexico

Water has always played an important role in
the settlement of the west, and settlers and
Indian Tribes always sought a dependable water
supply for domestic use and irrigating crops.
When supplies were scarce they moved on;
when supplies were sufficient they remained.
Because of the lack of adequate storage. the
water supplies of the past cannot serve the
future needs of a growing area. The Animas-
La Plata Project, a multiple-purpose water
resource project. is designed to serve the water
needs of southwestern Colorado and
northwestern New Mexico for the next 50 years.

Project Objectives

The project will furnish municipal and
industrial water to Durango, to the Southern Ute
and Ute Mountain Ute Tribes, and to the rural
La Plata area in Colorado; and to Farmington,
Aztec. Bloomfield and several smaller
communities. as well as the Navajo Tribe. in New
Mexico. The project will provide water for the
irrigation of Indian and non-Indian farmland.
Recreational opportunities will be made
available at project reservoirs. A program for
developing land for wildlife will compensate for
wildlife habitat losses at both reservoirs. and a
program will be instituted to collect and
preserve cultural resources.

Water for Colorado

Southwestern Colorado will receive project
water for municipal and industrial use and
'irrigation. Project water will be provided for the
City of Durango and the surrounding areas west
of Durango. The South Durango Water District
is anticipated to serve Durango West. Rafter J,
and other subdivisions. Water for the rural La
Plata area will serve residents in the La Plata
River drainage area. and the Animas-La Plata
Water Conservancy District will purchase water
for future needs.
The Southern Ute Tribe and Ute Mountain
Ute Indian Tribe will obtain project industrial
water to develop coal resources on their
reservations.
Project water will be provided for the irrigation
of non-Indian and Indian land.

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Water for New Mexico

Northwestern New Mexico will receive project.
water for municipal and industrial use and
irrigation. Project water will be provided for the
City of Farmington. the City of Aztec. the City of
Bloomfield. surrounding rural areas, and the
Navajo Tribe in the Shiprock area.
Project water will be provided for the irrigation
of non-Indian land in New Mexico.

Project Plan

The United States Congress required a cost-
sharing agreement between the project
beneficiaries and the Federal government.
Under this agreement of June 30, 1986. the
project will be constructed in two phases. The
parties to the cost-sharing agreement are the
State of Colorado. Colorado Water Resources
and Power Development Authority; Montezuma
County. Colorado; Animas-La Plata Water
Conservancy District; New Mexico Interstate
Stream Commission; San Juan Water
Commission. New Mexico; Southern Ute Indian
Tribe: Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribe; and the .
U.S. Secretary of the Interior. When Phase 2 is
initiated at a future date. non-Federal entities will
finance its construction.
Under Phase 1. Ridges Basin Reservoir, an
offstream project reservoir located southwest
of Durango. will store water pumped from the
Animas River. Reservoir releases will be made
as necessary back to the Animas River for New
Mexico's municipal and industrial users
downstream and to the Durango Municipal and
Industrial Pipeline to provide' water for the City
of Durango. Water will be pumped from the
reservoir and conveyed to the South Durango
Water District. The Southern Ute and Ute
Mountain Ute Indian Tribes will receive project
water stored in the reservoir. Water pumped
from the reservoir for the Colorado and New
Mexico irrigators will be conveyed through the
Dry Side Canal and Long Hollow Tunnel. Water
can also be diverted from the canal to the
La Plata River for irrigation in Colorado and
New Mexico. as well as continue in the canal to
irrigate land in western La Plata County.
Colorado municipal water users in the La Plat'O
River drainage will also receive project water
delivered through the canal and tunnel. The
Southern Ute Inlet and interim irrigation canal