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. fWID;j/) . PART V. IRRIGATION PRACTICES . The Montezuma Valley Irrigation Company began the construction of water conveyance facilities to the McElmo Creek drainage basin in the 1890's. A concrete diversion dam on the Dolores River near Dolores has been constructed, and water is delivered through the Main Canal No.1 and No. Z into an extensive system of irrigation ditches and laterals for delivery of water throughout the area. Based on Water Commissioner's diversion records, an average of about 109,000 acre-feet per year has been diverted into the Montezuma Valley during the 1951 through 1980 study period by the Montezuma Valley Irrigation Company. In addition, about 7,000 acre-feet per year has been diverted into the Valley by the Summit Reservoir and Irrigation Company. . . . Estimates of presently irrigated areas in the Montezuma Valley have been prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation and the USDA Soil Conservation Service. Reference is made to the "Dolores Project Definite Plan Report," pub- lished by the Bureau of Reclamation in 1977 and the report entitled, "Onfarm Irrigation Improvements-McElmo Creek Unit Salinity Control Study," published by the USDA Soil Conservation Service in 1973. The following inventory was made of irrigated lands in the Montezuma Valley: . . Service Area Montezuma Valley Irrigation Co. McElmo Creek watershed Navajo Wash watershed Yellow Jacket Creek watershed Summit Reservoir and Irrigation Co. Irrigated Area (acres) . Total Z7 , 800 1,300 3,800 4,600 37,500 . Approximately 1,300 acres of the lands served by the Montezuma Valley Irrigation Company are located in the Navajo Wash watershed, a tributary of the Mancos River. Return flows and canal spills from irrigation in the Montezuma . -9- ,,ij: ,~'""