Vallecito Country
This man-made lake, originally built as part of a large irrigation project, has been a much loved vacation spot in the southern San Juan Mountains for years. The area was a favorite of the nomadic Ute Indians, then a gold mining district, a valley of lush grasses used for ranching, and, lately, a home for retirees and vacationers. So up-to-date, the author added a chapter to include recent fires that swept the area.
- Published
- 2003
- ISBN
- 978-1-890437-76-3
- Pages
- 216
- Category
- History
- Place
- The San Juans
- Publisher
- Western Reflections Pub. Co.
- Listed at
- $20.45
Publication details from Open Library. The price shown is the last one on record and is historic, not a current offer.
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About this book
Vallecito Country is a local history of the lake and valley in the southern San Juan Mountains of Colorado. The description calls the man-made lake a much loved vacation spot that was originally built as part of a large irrigation project.
The book follows the land through its uses. According to the description, the area was a favorite of the nomadic Ute Indians, then a gold mining district, then a valley of lush grasses used for ranching, and lately a home for retirees and vacationers.
The author also brought the story up to date. The description says a chapter was added to cover recent fires that swept the area. The catalogue lists 216 pages.
Who it is for
This book is for people who visit or live around Vallecito Lake and want to know how the valley came to be what it is. It will also interest readers of southwestern Colorado history who follow the Ute, mining and ranching eras in one place.
About the author
The catalogue credits Dottie Warlick as the author. We could not find a biography for her that we could verify, so we know her only through this book. Her author page lists it.
The place and the period
The reservoir in the book's title has a documented building history. A Fort Lewis College finding aid for the Pine River Irrigation District records says development began as early as 1906, to bring late-season irrigation water to the Pine River Valley. In August 1936 the project moved from the Indian Irrigation Service to the Bureau of Reclamation for construction.
On February 11, 1937, the structure's name changed from Pine River Dam to Vallecito Dam. Clearing of the site began on May 14, 1937, and most of the work was done by the end of 1938. The valley road had to be relocated because the reservoir would flood it.
The dam was dedicated on September 14, 1941, and entered operational status in early 1942. The finding aid describes a zoned earth fill structure 162 feet high and 4,010 feet long, and a reservoir holding 129,700 acre-feet at an elevation of 7,665 feet.
Source: Pine River Irrigation District records, Fort Lewis College
Ways to use this book
Planning a Vallecito trip
Use the tourism fact sheet for the basics and the Forest Service pages for trails and camping. Since the lake sits at about 8,000 feet, bring layers even in summer, and check the Forest Service alerts page for closures before you leave.
Doing archive research on the water project
Local historians can read the finding aid first, then contact the Center of Southwest Studies. Its site asks researchers to plan ahead, so write well before your visit and name the years and subjects you want pulled.
Learning about the valley with kids
Take a copy on a lake visit and ask children to match what they see, such as the dam, the shoreline and the surrounding peaks, with the features in the fact sheet. Then try a short walk on a forest trail.
Go deeper
Vallecito Lake began as an irrigation reservoir on the Pine River northeast of Durango. These sources help you follow its water, its Ute heritage and its archives, whether you read from home or visit.
Pine River Irrigation District Records
Fort Lewis College's Center of Southwest Studies posts a finding aid for the district's records, the paperwork behind the project that created the reservoir.
Vallecito Lake fact sheet
The Durango tourism office lists the lake's elevation, its 12 miles of shoreline, and a construction period of 1938 to 1941 for the dam, plus contacts for visitors.
San Juan National Forest recreation
The Forest Service describes trails, fishing, camping and wilderness areas across the forest that surrounds the lake.
Good to know
What does the book cover?
Does it include recent events?
Where can I buy it?
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