McPhee Reservoir

Farms

Out to dry: Water managers brace for lean supply in Southwest Colorado

Vallecito Reservoir expected to fill, but low snowpack means short irrigation season

April 9, 2025 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

Will the next six weeks turn around Southwest Colorado’s dismal snowpack?

Reservoir managers hope winter weather will up their supply headed into spring

February 5, 2025 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Durango, Dolores kokanee giveaways scheduled this fall

Variable supply means attendees should call in advance

September 30, 2024 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Drought

Snowpack in Southwest Colorado has water managers ‘cautiously optimistic’

snow-water hovering around normal, experts are approaching predictions with trepidation

April 6, 2024 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

McPhee Reservoir boat ramp to open April 15

ramp to open mid-April, followed by House Creek Boat Ramp May 1

March 25, 2024 • Herald Staff Report

Local News

McPhee Reservoir breakwater replaced after 10 years

$600,000 spent on replacement and trash removal

January 4, 2024 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Dolores kokanee giveaway canceled, Nighthorse stock slim

Officials reporting limited, smaller fish this year in Durango

October 31, 2023 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Unscheduled kokanee giveaway to take place in Dolores Thursday

Sizable early run means Colorado Parks and Wildlife will distribute fish at Joe Rowell Park

October 16, 2023 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Dolores

Lingering winter delays opening of McPhee Reservoir boat ramp

is iced over, and roads drifted with snow; invasive mussels found on Western Slope

April 7, 2023 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Dolores River

Forecast: McPhee Reservoir likely to fill, provide spill for whitewater boating

Above-average snowpack puts farmers and boaters into promising 2023 season

February 17, 2023 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Local News

Alleged trespasser held at gunpoint at McPhee campground

draws firearm after man entered truck at 4 a.m.

October 8, 2022 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Animas River

Snowpack bottoms out in Southwest Colorado

melt is among the earliest in the last 30 years

May 24, 2022 • Aedan Hannon — Herald Staff Writer

Agriculture

Farmers face 75% water shortage out of McPhee Reservoir

Another dry winter hampers local farmers; supply is slightly better than last year

May 23, 2022 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Agriculture

Water managers see runoff as positive sign

Heading into summer, forecasts aren’t great, but they are slightly better than last year

April 28, 2022 • Aedan Hannon — Herald Staff Writer

Agriculture

A future of drought? Ute Mountain Ute Tribe looks at life with less water

Limited water supply consolidated to keep corn crop and flour mill operating; jobs lost, canal payment assistance requested

December 28, 2021 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Animal science

Colorado Parks and Wildlife sees banner year for kokanee spawn

Southwest Colorado will send a surplus of eggs to supplement other hatcheries in state

December 23, 2021 • Aedan Hannon — Herald Staff Writer

Dolores County

Dove Creek getting urgent water delivery after drought dries up canal

Drought disrupts timing of McPhee Reservoir water flow for the first time

October 30, 2021 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Dolores River

Southwest Basin water plan update seeks public comment

outline water management in Southwest Colorado

October 20, 2021 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Dolores River

Limits on fishing lifted on Dolores River

A voluntary closure encouraged anglers to stick to fishing in the morning below McPhee dam

September 18, 2021 • Kala Parkinson — Journal staff writer

Agriculture

Dredging will provide access to last 5 feet of irrigation water in parched McPhee Reservoir

Drought and historic low-water level reveal sediment blockage

August 6, 2021 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Agriculture

Monsoon delivers (so far) across Southwest Colorado

rains are a welcome sight after last year’s dry summer and low-snowpack winter

July 21, 2021 • Patrick Armijo — Herald staff writer

Agriculture

Drought triggers penalties for overuse of water

Dolores Water Conservancy District enacts fines to deter overuse of water

June 30, 2021 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Cortez

Low flows on Dolores River trigger limits on fishing

Anglers being asked to only fish in the morning below McPhee dam

June 24, 2021 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Agriculture

Montezuma County declares drought disaster

and federal programs offer drought assistance, emergency loans

June 7, 2021 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer