I hear a lot of controversy over the issue of the lower Dolores river, and it makes me wonder.
People are expressing their anger with the fact that the water in McPhee isn’t being used correctly and the lower Dolores is suffering because of it. During the 1930s the majority of the river warer was diverted south, leaving everything beyond Dolores bone-dry in the summer.
I hear people angry that farmers get the water, and ranchers get the water. Think how much money people have invested in this area on farms and ranches because of that water. I have never believed anyone to think that recreation is more important than communal lifestyle.
I agree there needs to be a fish and wildlife habitat. Since the implementation of the dam the fish habitat has been improved through an agreement with the Fish and Wildlife and Dolores Water Conservation District to establish a minimum flow to support the fish.
The problem I see, is so many people that do not make a living in the agriculture industry in this area are the ones making the issue bigger than it needs to be.
The individuals speaking out against the use of the watershed for alfalfa do not face consequences if there is not a full allotment of water in a year. They continue on to their businesses and jobs and continue to receive a decent pay.
To spill more water to the lower Dolores for recreation would be taking business and opportunity away from our local farmers and ranchers.
These are not huge production farms and ranches, they are family-pioneered and family-operated.
In Montezuma County, water is life, not recreation.
Dustin Goodall
Dolores
