WSP02305

• File Number: 8220.106
• Description: Animas-La Plata
• State: CO
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 12/1/1994
• Author: Bookman-Edmonston
• Title: Economic Impact Study - Animas-La Plata and Colorado Ute Water Rights Settlement Act
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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BACKGROUND

in the canal would be released to the La Plata River for use downstream during periods of
low streamflow. During periods of high flow, La Plata River water would be diverted into
the Dry Side Canal to augment the supply west of the river. Water for lands in New
Mexico would be stored in the Southern Ute Reservoir and released to the New Mexico
Irrigation Canal. Buried pipe lateral systems would distribute the water to farms in both
states, except that the land to be served directly from the La Plata River would continue to
be gravity irrigated. Pumping plants to pressurize five pipe lateral systems would be
provided along the Dry Side, Southern Ute Inlet, and New Mexico Irrigation Canals.

The two-phase construction was proposed as a means of reducing federal outlays, increasing

the benefit-cost ratio associated with those benefits, and increasing the necessary cost

sharing contributions made by sponsors while still providing water supply to the Ute Tribes.

Phase I would be funded from the federal and non-federal cost sharing sources. Phase II

would be constructed and funded entirely by non-federal cost sharing sources. Phase I

provides irrigation service for 42,815 acres, municipal and industrial water service and some

recreation and fish and wildlife benefit. Phase II provides irrigation service to 24,645 acres.

In Colorado, M&I water for the city of Durango would either be diverted from the Ridges
Basin Inlet Conduit or released from Ridges Basin Reservoir to either a new treatment plant
to be constructed near the reservoir by the city or to an enlarged treatment plant near the
city's terminal reservoir. The water would be conveyed to the city through the Durango
Municipal and Industrial Pipeline. Water would be pumped from the Reservoir and
conveyed to a rural subdivision west of Durango through the Shenandoah Municipal and
Industrial Pipeline. Supplies for rural communities in the La Plata River drainage and for
the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribe would be made available from the Dry Side Canal, and
supplies for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe would be made available at Southern Ute
Reservoir. In New Mexico, municipal and industrial water would be diverted directly from
the Animas River. Water would be released from Ridges Basin Reservoir into Basin Creek
and into the Animas River when the river flow is insufficient for downstream demands.
The water users would be responsible for the conveyance, treatment, and distribution of
their respective water supplies.

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