Fruita Mountain Properties - History and Challenges

History of Fruita Mountain Properties

Did you know that the City of Fruita owns land, water rights, and a water supply system on Pinon Mesa, south of Glade Park? The City of Fruita owns four reservoirs on the Pinion Mesa near Glade Park, CO. This is why the area is called the Fruita Division of the Grand Mesa National Forest.

Historically, (prior to 1980) these reservoirs supplied domestic water to Fruita. As Fruita grew, the water from the reservoirs was not sufficient for Fruita. In 1983 (when Fruita’s population was only 3,668), Fruita entered into an agreement with Ute Water to become the domestic water provider in Fruita. Knowing that water resources in the western United States were limited, the City of Fruita decided to retain these water rights. Today, it is not possible to bring the water into Fruita City limits and there is not a pipeline from the reservoirs to the City (Fun Fact! The original pipeline was 23 miles and made of wood. The pipeline was built by hand and laid by hand in the late 1800s from Pinon Mesa and over the Colorado National Monument’s terrain to supply Fruita’s original drinking water starting in 1907). Even if there was a way to feasibly get the water to Fruita, it is not enough to supply the nearly 14,000 residents who live here, as it was not enough when there were less than 4,000 residents.

Today, these reservoirs are for recreational use and deliver water to the Glade Park area for irrigation. The City continues to maintain the reservoirs and land acquired to protect the City’s watershed. Most of the properties are surrounded by U.S. Forest Service properties and allow for dispersed camping, picnicking, hiking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and ATV trails. The only reservoir not within the National Forest area is Enoch’s Lake, which is surrounded by private properties. Over the years, Enoch’s Lake was open for overnight camping but managing this isolated property (surrounded by private property owners) was too much of a strain on City resources and resulted in many issues for surrounding property owners. Today, Enoch’s Lake is only open for day-use recreation.

The Fruita Division of the national forest is located just over an hour’s drive south of Fruita and boasts over 7,300 acres of mountain properties with activities for those who enjoy the outdoors.

The Challenges We are Facing

The challenge the City of Fruita is facing today is repairing the dam at Reservoir #2, managing land so far from the City, and keeping it accessible to the public. Fruita Reservoir #2 is currently on a “No Fill Order” by the State of Colorado Division of Water Resources. This means the City is losing 168 acrefeet of water storage volume. The City of Fruita’s goal is to repair Fruita Reservoir #2, removing the “No Fill” order by the State of Colorado Division of Water Resources to allow water storage in the reservoir. By repairing the reservoir, water storage volume and water quality would increase. The repair would provide improved delivery of water for agriculture water management, water quality management, and public recreation. To help fix Reservoir #2, the City of Fruita is working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Watershed Program for planning assistance. Through the NRCS, the City of Fruita will determine how feasible it will be to fix Reservoir #2.

Working to Find a Solution

The City of Fruita’s number one goal is to provide necessary core services to residents and businesses in the community. As an organization, the City is focused on aligning resources, time, and talent to provide highquality services while impacting and increasing the quality of place, economic health, and lifestyle of the Fruita community. The Fruita Mountain Properties have provided necessary services to Fruita in the past and today provide recreational opportunities for all. The City of Fruita is working diligently to find a solution and possible partnerships to maintain these water rights and public access for recreational opportunities while ensuring the costs of maintenance to these properties do not impact the quality of services provided to the Fruita community within City limits.

Published 12/2022