Background

Paonia Dam and Reservoir are located 16 miles northeast of Paonia, Colorado, on Muddy Creek, upstream from its confluence with Anthracite Creek. The two creeks together form the North Fork of the Gunnison River. The dam is owned by Reclamation, and is operated and maintained by the Fire Mountain Canal and Reservoir Company and the North Fork Water Conservancy District.

Paonia Reservoir provides irrigation water to approximately 15,300 acres of land, and has recreation and flood control benefits. When the construction of the project was completed in 1962 the reservoir had an active storage capacity of 18,150 acre-feet. Sediment from Muddy Creek flows into the reservoir and has reduced the storage capacity of Paonia Reservoir to 15,600 acre-feet.

Developing a Sedimentation Management Plan and Environmental Compliance

At the current sedimentation rate the reservoir would be completely filled with sediment in another 150 years, gradually reducing the available pool over time. Long before sediment levels reach the full pool elevation however, reservoir intakes and outlet works are affected, adversely impacting project operations.

Reclamation is working on developing a long-term sedimentation management plan to address future reservoir operations and reservoir storage.

The following entities are partners in the Paonia Project:

• Colorado River Water Conservation District
• Fire Mountain Canal and Reservoir Company
• North Fork Water Conservancy District

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