Water and Related Land Resources: Dolores River Basin, Colorado and Utah

Excerpts from the report: The Dolores River is a tributary of the Colorado River. The main tributary of the Dolores River is the San Miguel River. The basin encompasses 4,645 square miles with 4,093 square miles in southwestern Colorado and 552 square miles in southeastern Utah. This is about four percent of Colorado and less than one percent of Utah. Elevations range from 4,100 to more than 14,000 feet above sea level, while precipitation ranges from about nine inches in the desert areas to more than 50 inches along the eastern mountains. The average growing season (above 28°F.) in the irrigated areas varies from 90 to 194 days. The principal objective of this study was the collection and development of information on water and related land resource use and management with particular regard to multiple use, to provide a basis for coordinating USDA programs of watershed protection, flood prevention, land and water management, fish and wildlife development, recreational development, municipal and industrial water development with the related activities of local, state, and other federal agencies. An additional objective is the projection of water and related land resource developments and subsequent impacts. This study will serve as an important source of information to the Colorado Water Conservation Board in the preparation of an overall water plan for Colorado.