Kicked off by the Colorado River Storage Project Act of 1956, the Bostwick Park Project was developed to assist local residents in Montrose and Gunnison counties. The small farms in this area rely on irrigation for crops of alfalfa, hay, pasture grass, and feed grains. Construction on the Silver Jack Dam began in 1966, utilizing the flow of the Cimarron River. Massive mudslides at the dam site stalled completion of the project more than once. One huge slide dropped 700,000 tons of shale and mud, forcing the contractor to move the spillway stilling basin. The project was finalized in 1976 and dedicated on July 29th.
   The Silver Jack Reservoir, framed in this photo with golden aspens, also doubles as a recreational area. Visitors enjoy camping, fishing, non-motorized boating and hiking trails. Access is over an unpaved road from U.S. Route 550 east of Ridgway, Colorado, or from U.S. 50 near Cimarron. It's a remote area, but very popular. The gravel road is favorable during dry weather for most cars, but is not suggested during inclement weather. It's a very scenic drive, especially during the autumn season when the aspen groves reach their peak.

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