Dolores River

Drainage Area: 

10,169 square miles.

Length:

The San Juan/Dolores Basin is located in the southwest corner of Colorado.Major tributaries include San Miguel River, Animas River, and La Plata River.

Largest cities/towns in the basin:

• Durango (pop. 15,213)
• Cortex (pop. 8,328)

Elevation:

Land use:

Agricultural, mining, recreation, tourism, retirement/second home

Storage-Major reservoirs:

• McPhee Reservoir – 381,100 ac-ft
• Vallecito Reservoir 129,700 ac-ft
• Lemon Reservoir – 40,100 ac-ft

Major Exports from Basin:

• San Juan Chama Project – 89,832 ac-ft (annual average diversion)

Sources: San Juan/Dolores River Facts and San Juan/Dolores/San Miguel Fact Sheet

Source: Colorado Geological Survey– Groundwater Atlas