​Summit Reservoir & Irrigation Company


This history information was developed and written by Dave Sanford, retired in 2015 after more than thirty years of service to the irrigation company. 


Thanks Dave!


80 Years Ago


The following articles are courtesy of the Cortez Journal Newspaper,
from their series of articles reprinted in 2016 entitled "80 Years Ago"  




Taken from the Dolores Star, Friday, Jan. 3, 1936

Summit loan

A meeting of the stockholders of the Summit Reservoir and Irrigation company will decide whether the company

will borrow $53,000 from the RFC to improve the system. The money, if the loan is taken, will be used to raise the dam

at Summit reservoir to increase the storage capacity. There is seldom a water shortage under this system but it

is deemed advisable to increase the capacity so that there will be absolutely no danger of water running

low even in extremely dry years.

 

Taken from the Dolores Star, Friday, Jan. 10, 1936

Summit Reservoir bonds

The Summit Reservoir and Irrigation company voted at the meeting of its stockholders to issue bonds

in the amount of $53,500 to increase the storage capacity of its reservoir. The money is to be obtained

from the reconstruction finance corporation which has already approved the loan. The capacity of the

reservoir will be doubled by the improvement. The reservoir obtains its waters from Lost Canyon

creek which empties into the Dolores river.

 

Taken from the Dolores Star, Friday, March 13, 1936 

Summit Reservoir

Men and teams are at work on Summit reservoir this week, excavating on the dam where a new headgate is to be

installed. It is expected that the work of raising the dam to increase the storage capacity of the reservoir

will be done this spring and the new headgate will be necessary in this event. The capacity of the

dam will be practically doubled by this operation. The Summit Reservoir and Irrigation system is one of the most

successful irrigation systems in the basin and supplies water to the farms on what is known as Summit Ridge.







In the late 1890's irrigation on Summit Ridge began with the construction of the Turkey
Creek Ditch. The first reservoir was Lone Pine (known now as Joe Moore), completed in 1905.
Summit Reservoir was completed in 1907 and Puett Reservoir in 1910.


The Summit Reservoir and Irrigation Company was formed by combining several small ditch

companies and individual farm systems. The company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Colorado

as a not-for-profit company in 1907. The Summit Ditch, Lost Canyon Ditch, and the Railroad Siphon were
constructed from 1910 through 1912 and put into service in 1913. Summit Reservoir was enlarged

to its present size in 1936 by construction of the south dike. Puett Reservoir was enlarged to its

present size in 1960. Over 20 miles of ditches originating on the San Juan National Forest
channel water into the three reservoirs. An extensive system of Company and private ditches
and pipelines distribute the water. Present facilities provide from 5,000 to 7,000 acre feet of
irrigation water per year to about 4,000 acres of land.

The initial purpose of the Company was to provide irrigation water in the most efficient
manner and at the least cost possible. For many years, the Company provided domestic as well
as irrigation water, most domestic water is now purchased from Montezuma Water Company.


There are 400 shares in the Company. At present, there are 147 shareholders. The largest
shareholder owns 26 shares and the smallest owns one-half share.

Only 25 shareholders own more than 3 shares.

In the 1960's the Company entered into an agreement with the Colorado Division of
Wildlife to make the three reservoirs available for public fishing. The Division also manages the
recreation facilities at Summit Lake, which are on Company property. No property is owned at the
other two reservoirs. The Company owns easements for the dams and for storage to above the
high water line only. Minimum storage in the reservoirs for maintenance of the fishery is required
by the agreement.

The Company is run by a Board of three Directors elected by the shareholders. The
annual meeting of the membership is held in January. The Board meets the 2nd Wednesday of
each month in Dolores. All meetings are open to the shareholders.


The company employees a full-time ditch rider who maintains the Company ditches, dams, and other structures

and a part-time secretary.

















History