WSP08784

• File Number: 8027
• Description: Section D General Correspondence - Federal Agencies - Corps of Engineers
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 3/8/1976
• Author: Corps of Engineers
• Title: Rio Grande and Pecos Water Basin News
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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INIIEWS OIF 1I1N!1I'IE1RlESlT IFIRO/MI AIBII([J!lWIIWJ IDA/MI AIN!ID IRIE$IEIRVOIIIR

The San Juan-Choma Diversion Project, which diverts San Juan .River water into the Rio
Grande Basin, has dramatically changed the histarical water-short situation in the Rio
Grande Valley above Elephant Butte Dam. Various local interests are looking for places
to store water for which they have contracted and Abiquiu Dam has become a potential
site. Abiquiu Dam is looked to for potential storage because of the large amount of
storage available in the project. The City of Albuquerque has indicated that present
projections show a need for storage of municipal and industrial water. The
Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, responsible for irrigation service in the Middle
Rio Grande Valley likewise has expressed interest in utilizing available storage. This
interest in reallocation of Abiquiu's storage, plus the problem of inadequate downstream
channel capacity and its effect on flood control releases, make it imperative that an
interim report on the matter be prepared. A resolution by the Senate Committee on
Civil Works calling for a restudy of the Abiquiu Dam project was adopted on 5 December
1975. Studies will be initiated when funds are appropriated by the Congress.

IN THE MEANTIME..... .archeological mitigation continues at Abiquiu Dam. Fifteen
sites between elevations 6,143 and 6,170 are being excavated under a joint effort by the
City of Albuquerque and School of American Research. This latest phase is being funded
by the City of Albuquerque. Field work will be completed this April, allowing .toroge
of 44,000 acre feet of water to elevation 6,165 for a recreation paol. This water is being
provided by the City of Albuquerque from its allocations of San Juan-Chama diversion water.

IDnAlllllE1D SlTWJIDIlIES IFOIR CAlRllSiJAID IIIN! ftDlIOGIIESS - The Albuquerque
District met with officials and interested citizens of Carlsbad last December to discuss solu-
tions to the city's flooding problems from Dark Canyon. After a discussion of the economic,
environmental, social and other factors associated with each alternative, the consensus was
that the most feasible alternative would be improvement of the Dark Canyon channel from
the southern canal syphon to the canyon's confluence with the Pecos River. Since that
meeting, the 0 istrict has become aware of a restriction in the river about 8,500 feet down-
stream from the confluence of Dark Canyon and the river. This restriction, plus the extreme
flat trajectory of that reach of the river contributed to the backing up of flood flows. Con-
sequently, the District is also studying the possibility of increasing the river's gradient from
the confluence of Dark Canyon and the river down to and through the restriction. It is
estimated this will lower the upstream flood stage above the Dark Canyon confluence by
about 14 feet. Detailed studies are now progressing in preparation for a final public meeting
with officials and citizens of Carlsbad and finalizing of the report.

IFWJINIIDS IFOR AIl"'"1N!1E IIIN! "'IIIESIID>>lElNIlT'S IBWJD>>Gn - Preconstruct ion
planning funds have been appropriated for the Alpine, Texas Local Flood Protection Project.
Preparations for updating the basic hydrology studies are under way, as are plans for early
coordination with local officials.

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