Lake Nighthorse, named for the former Colorado United States Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, is now 20% full. If all goes as planned, water being delivered to Lake Nighthorse from the Animas River will fill it by the year 2011. This may seem like a long ways off, but the reality is that this is a project that culminates literally decades of discussion, negotiation, design and construction, so the year 2011 actually seems unbelievably close to those of us who have watched or heard about this project for many, many years!
Lake Nighthorse is located in an area called Ridge's Basin which is southwest of Durango. Once filled, it will have a surface area of approximately 1,500 acres or roughly two square miles. The intended use of Lake Nighthorse is primarily for diversion and water storage for the seven "sponsors" of the Animas-La Plata compact that was formed in the 1960s. Those sponsors include the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Indian Tribes and the Navajo Nation, as well as water management entities in both Colorado and New Mexico. The sponsors will each receive water from the project for approved uses according to complex agreements that were negotiated as part of the Animas-La Plata compact.
Lake Nighthorse has also been approved for recreation, fishing and wildlife uses, although my understanding is that the specifics, timelines, rules and regulations of this recreation piece are still being fiercely negotiated by various interested parties, including environmental groups. Funding for recreational use is obviously a critical piece and not yet in place. The new lake will most likely be off limits to the public until the questions about funding and approved recreational uses have been resolved.
In summary, after decades of debate and hard work, completion of Lake Nighthorse is just around the corner and will open a grand new resource for Durango and the surrounding region. It is a new resource that I look forward to with anticipation!
You can reach me, Don Ricedorff, at The Wells Group 970-375-7014, don@frontier.net, or at my website at durangorealproperty.com
Don Ricedorff is a licensed real estate broker in the State of Colorado, with 16 years of experience, and he resides in Durango Colorado.
He has numerous real estate designations, which have provided him with an unparalleled education to assist his clients.
The designations include:
CRS, Certified Residential Specialist
CRB, Certified Residential Broker
CCIM, Certified Commercial Investment Member
CDPE, Certified Distressed Property Expert
ABR, Accredited Buyer Representation
GRI, Graduate of Realtor Institute
RSPS, Resort and Second Home Property Specialist
CIPS, Certified International Property Specialist
SRES, Senior Real Estate Specialist
He is also an active volunteer in the community and his church. His highest aspiration is spending time with his wife, Janet, and his three children Kelly, Katie, and Kyle. His other interests include playing tennis, fly fishing, hiking, boating, and water skiing.
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