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r- ! Introduction This report is submitted on the potential Hammond reclamation pro- ject which would provide a new irrigation supply to land in the San Juan River Valley, a part of the Upper Colorado River Basin, in northwestern New Mexico. The Hammond project plan is correlated with a broad plan for the fullest possible development of the land and water resources of the Upper Colorado River Basin. The project is am.ong the first develop- ments recommended by the Upper Colorado River Commission for participa- tion in the benefits and revenues of the Colorado River Storage project, the master project in the plan for upper basin developm.ent. Additional information on the relation of the Hammond project to the storage project is given in the Bureau of Reclamation report of September 1950, entitled Colorado River Storage Project ~ Participating Projects. The Hammond project plan has been reviewed by interested Federal agencies, including the Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Ser- vice, Bureau of Land Management, Geological Survey, Bureau of Mines, and Bureau of Indian Affairs. These agencies are in general accord with the plan, although they would not 'be sufficiently affected to participate directly in the project. While project investigations vere being made, helpful information and services were furnished by several Federal, State, and local govern- mental agencies and local interests. Forem.ost am.ong these were the Soil Conservat ion Service of the Department of Agriculture, the liindow Rock Agency of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the office of the New Mexico State Engineer. :"1 Authority to make this report is provided in the Federal reclam.ation laws (Act of June 17, 1902, 32 Stat. 388, and acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto). General Description ',>;J The Hammond project area is in San Juan County, N. Mex. It is loca- ted along the southern bank of the San Juan River, a tributary of the Colorado River. Project lands lie in a narrow 20-mile strip opposite the towns of Blanco, Bloomfield, and Farmington. They are at an aver- age elevation of 5,400 feet above sea level and have a temperate, semi- arid climate. Precipitation averages only about 10 inches a year and about 5 inches during the growing season. Thus, irrigation is necessary for successful crop ~Oduction. Mean annual temperatures average 510. Known extremes are 30 below zero and 1060 above zero. The average frost-free period is 148 days, extending from May 11 to October 6. The growing season for hardy crops is e. little longer, usually extending from April 24 to October 21. :~~I :::/ ~-:I .1