Focus on SouthWestern Colorado
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wo major river systems define southwestern Colorado: the San Juan and Dolores. The San Juan River originates in the mountain range bearing its name, coalescing in the forested slopes and narrow valleys near Wolf Creek Pass as it starts its descent southward into New Mexico. By the time it crosses the state line, its waters are already impounded in the sizeable confines of Navajo Reservoir. On its journey, it will also pick up waters from its major tributaries the Piedra, Rio Blanco and Navajo River. The Dolores River gathers its’ waters from the snow-laden mountainsides of the Lizard Head Wilderness Area south of Telluride. Not far away, the San Miguel River collects and flows northwest, forming the northern-most watershed in the basin. The San Miguel flows all the way down to the state border before joining up with the Dolores River as it makes a giant “U” around the mountains and flows north and west into Utah. In the southwestern corner, the Mancos, La iv er lR Plata, and Animas rivers also drain out of the n e Migu mountains and eventually join up with the San Juan River. On a larger scale, the San Juan and Dolores are part of the Upper Colorado River Basin. The Dolores meets up with the Colorado River just north of Moab, and the San Juan River mixes with the Colorado River at Lake Powell in southern Utah. ❑
Photo by Michael Lewis
SAN JUAN AND DOLORES RIVER BASINS
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Animas River
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• Durango
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• Animas-La Plata Project
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Plata Riv
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• Cortez
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• McPhee Reservoir
• Navajo Reservoir
COLORADO FOUNDATION FOR WATER EDUCATION
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