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Show 3. Navajo Storage Unit Navajo Dam is located in northwestern New Mexico on the San Juan River, 34 miles east of Farmington and three and a half miles downstream from the confluence of the Los Pinos and San Juan Rivers. The dam, dedicated September 15, 1962, is a zoned earth-fill embankment structure. The reservoir has 1,709,000 acre-feet total capacity, and an active capacity of 1,036,000 acre-feet. Storage of water was initiated on June 27, 1962, marking the first storage of water in a storage unit of the Colorado River Storage Project. The major purpose of this reservoir is to regulate the flows of the San Juan River for the authorized Navajo Indian Irrigation Project near Farmington, the San Juan-Chama participating project in the Rio Grande Basin, and the Hammond participating project. Part of the stored water will also be used for industrial and municipal purposes in north-western New Mexico. Repairs to Navajo Dam By 1965 extensive damage had occurred to concrete in the chute, floor, and center wall of the outlet works stilling basin. Temporary repairs were made during the summer of 1965. Permanent repairs were undertaken with the award of a contract on August 18, 1967, for modification of the outlet works stilling basin and for repairing cavitation damage to the interior surfaces of the upstream bodies of the two 72-inch hollow-jet valves used for regulating releases from Navajo Reservoir. Remedial work covered by this contract is scheduled for completion early in 1968. Recreation Facilities Navajo Lake is proving to be a popular new recreation spot, drawing visitors from many points. Visitation during 1966 totaled 231,000 people. From January 1, 1967, to the end of September, 351,400 persons visited the reservoir area. Recreational areas have been developed in New Mexico on the Pine River Arm of the reservoir above Navajo Dam, the Sims Mesa Recreation site on the opposite shore, and in Colorado near Arboles on the upper portion of the lake. Basic recreation facilities at the three sites have been essentially completed. They include concrete boat ramps, Visitor Centers or administration buildings, picnic areas and campgrounds, modern restrooms, parking facilities, culinary water, sewer systems, and employee residences. In addition, concessionaires at the Pine River site and at Arboles site have developed marina facilities and have provided service, including food and trailer park accommodations, and are preparing plans for lodges, restaurants, etc. 98 |