Rep. Scott Tipton had one of his greatest successes in his two years in Congress last month when the House overwhelmingly passed his bill to promote small hydroelectric projects on canals and pipelines. But it turns out the bill will not help one of the dams in the Cortez Republican’s own district.

As of Monday, Jackson Gulch Reservoir's content was low, real low. "This is the lowest I have seen it and I have been here 23 years," said Gary Kennedy, Superintendent Mancos Water Conservancy District. As of Monday, the content of Jackson Gulch was 2,350 acre feet or 23.5 percent, with an inflow at about 20 cubic feet per second.

The Mancos Board of Trustees has established an exterior watering ban until further notice. There is not enough water flowing in the West Mancos River to legally get water through the head gate from the river to the water filtration facility. The town has #3 priority water right, which means river water cannot currently be diverted to the filtration facility.

Concerns about mercury contamination in fish have prompted various agencies to take action toward better understanding the problem. The Southwestern Water Conservation District and the U.S. Geological Survey have scheduled a meeting next month to lay the foundation for a study.

Upgrades at Jackson Gulch reservoir are complete as of October 21st. With 2010 federal appropriation funds of $1.75 million, 1800 feet of pipe was installed at the reservoir.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation released the July-end status of local reservoirs Jackson Gulch and McPhee. Jackson Gulch reservoir live content stood at 8,594 acre-feet with a 9,977 acre-feet maximum capacity and a 7,306 acre-feet average (1971-2000) end-of-month content.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation released the March-end status of local reservoirs Jackson Gulch and McPhee. Jackson Gulch reservoir live content stood at 5,496 acre-feet with a 9,977 acre-feet maximum capacity and a 5,008 acre-feet average (1971-2000) end of month content.

The Mancos Water Conservancy District voted unanimously last week to approve the repayment contract between the district and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. "This is a huge step for us," said Gary Kennedy, superintendent of the Mancos Water Conservancy District.