SJWCD & RJH Engineering Advance Reservoir Planning
In November 2025, San Juan Water Conservancy District entered a contract with RJH Engineering Consultants (https://www.rjh-consultants.com) to advance planning for water storage at Running Iron Ranch. An off-channel reservoir of up to eleven thousand acre feet has been proposed to serve Archuleta County.
A more detailed feasibility study is essential to the first phase of planning in order to meet a qualification deadline for a Bureau of Reclamation Small Storage grant consideration. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation defines a reservoir of this proposed size as small storage.
In May 2025, Yeh Engineering (https://www.yeh-eng.com) submitted a Preliminary Geotechnical and Geologic Hazards Report, an early Feasibility Report. The Final Report followed a period of engagement and extensive clarifications with SJWCD board members.
Following the completion of Yeh’s Final Report, SJWCD issued Requests for Proposals from qualified engineering firms with experience in building water storage facilities, large and small. After thorough research, deliberation, and on-site exploration, RJH was hired to move the project forward.
San Juan Water Conservancy District recognizes the need for extensive reservoir planning, engineering, and funding for water storage at Running Iron Ranch. SJWCD will post updates here as reservoir planning advances. The Colorado Water Conservation Board, SJWCD, and Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District own Running Iron Ranch.
SJWCD was created in 1987 in accordance with the Water Conservancy Act. The District is located at the headwaters of the San Juan River and encompasses all of the town of Pagosa Springs and most of Archuleta County. The District has transitioned over the last fifty years to a tourism-based economy with many of our visitors enjoying river recreation including fishing, rafting, tubing, and San Juan Forest-oriented activities like hiking, mountain biking, camping, and snow sports.
The conservancy of Colorado’s water continues to be a consideration of the Colorado legislature (https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb24-038) in the present day. The need for water storage is defined in the Colorado Water Plan (https://www.sjwcd.org/colorado-water-plan), which drives the decision-making of the SJWCD Board of Directors.