WSP08310

• File Number: 8220.124.A
• Description: Pine River
• State: CO
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 7/1/1965
• Author: Pine River Soil Cons
• Title: Watershed Work Plan: Pine River Watershed La Plata and Archuleta Counties Colorado
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

- 9 -

Water
by wells.
irrigation

for domestic purposes is
An adequate water supply
canals and from wells.

obtained by direct diversion and
for livestock is available from

Economic Da ta

The history of La Plata and Archuleta Counties dates back eight
or nine hundred years before Columbus discovered America. There are
many evidences that agriculture was practiced by the Basketmaker and
Pueblo Indians in these early days.

The Spanish explorers represented by Cbronado in 1541, Rivera in
1765, and Padres Dominguez and Escalante in 1776, explored,mapped,
and hunted gold all through this region. Just south in New Mexico,
a large land grant was made to Manuel Martinez in 1832 and settlers
started coming in the area.

In 1859 and 1860, the Baker expedition sought gold in the
San Juan Mountains, but none was found until 1860 and a gold rush
followed in 1872.

The Los Pinos Indian Agency was founded in 1868. A portion of
the Ute Indian Reservation was opened to settlement in 1873 with a
cabin lind a sawmill being buiLt on the present s.ite of Duraqgo.
La Plata County was organized in 1874. Progress followed with the
Denver and Rio Grande Western Narrow Gage Railroad reaching the area
in 188L

Colorado became a State in 1876. To help keep the peace between
the Indians and the settlers and miners, Fort Lewis was built in 1878
on the north bank of the San Juan River. The Fort was later moved in
1882 to a site near Hesperus, Colorado.

Archuleta County was organized in 1885. In 1899, the Ute Strip
extending south to the New Mexico line' was opened for settlement.

Ignacio, Colorado, just south of the Indian Agency and the Federal
Indian School was incorporated in 1913;

The Los Pinos River basin has had no direct benefit from the
mining or oil and gas development that has helped Durango and the Four
Corners area make recent strides in economic and population growth.
For the most part, the area has depended upon an agricultural economy
based upon the raising of sheep and cattle with Some increasing income
from tourists and the recreation potential. This should increase as
the recreation features of the Navajo Reservoir on the San Juan River
are installed and become available for extensive use.