SJWCD Advances Reservoir Planning
San Juan Water Conservancy District advanced planning for water storage at Running Iron Ranch by sending a Request for Proposals to three engineering firms. All three firms responded and submitted proposals that described their experience, expertise, and projected budgets.
A Bidders Conference on Zoom took place on September 18. Two of the three firms had already visited Running Iron Ranch. SJWCD stated their intention to make a hiring decision by October 15. A detailed feasibility study was identified as essential to the first phase of planning in order to meet a qualification deadline for a Bureau of Reclamation Small Storage grant consideration.
In May 2025, Yeh Engineering submitted a Preliminary Geotechnical and Geologic Hazards Report, a Feasibility Report. The Final Report followed a period of engagement and extensive clarifications with SJWCD board members.
SJWCD engaged Yeh Engineering (https://www.yeh-eng.com) to conduct a thorough assessment of the geotechnical services needed to construct a water storage reservoir at the Running Iron Ranch (RIR). The proposed water storage facility, currently called San Juan Headwaters Project (Project), is a potentially 11,000-acre foot off-channel reservoir. The Colorado Water Conservation Board, SJWCD, and Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District own Running Iron Ranch.
San Juan Water Conservancy District (SJWCD) recognizes the need for reservoir planning, preliminary engineering, and funding for water storage at Running Iron Ranch. SJWCD will post updates here as reservoir planning advances.
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.