WSP07190

• File Number: 8220.124.A
• Description: Pine River
• State: CO
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 1/1/1942
• Title: Preliminary Investigation Proposed Pine River Irrigation Project: Preliminary Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

Beonomic Status of Farmers in the Surrounding Locality

In the looality surrounding the proposed project considerable distress

exists among farmers and stockmen that could be relieved to some extent

by the proposed development. which after prOViding for readjustment of

families now within the area would provide for the resettlement of some

80 to 100 distressed farm families from surrounding looalities.

Pine River Basin is part of the greater basin of San Juan River to which

Pine River is tributary. This greater basin is formed by the basins. of

eight tributary rivers. with their intervening mountain ranges, mesas

and broad passes. These rivers all flow generally south to enter the

San Juan River below the New Mexico State line. San Juan Basin oocupies

the greater part of the three southwestern Oolorado counties, Montezuma.

La Plata and Archuleta, lying along the south boundary line of the state,

east from the four-State-eorner. Durango, county seat of La Plata Oounty,

in about the center of. the basin, is metropolis for the region. Within

this region are a great many irrigation developments, large and small, in

which the Farm Security Administration ha.s many rehabilitation and resettle-

ment activities.

One of the principal areaS of distress is in Archuleta County, east Qf
and adjacent to the Pine River Irrigation Distriot and south and west

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of Pagosa.Springs, the county seat. There are 87 families in this area.

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mostly Spanish American. Their distress comes about principally from

increasing overpopulation of the area and withdrawal of range lands from

the National Forests and the Public Domain by the Indian Service and by