WSP08819

• File Number: 8583
• Description: Rio Grande Decision Support System
• State: CO
• Basin: Rio Grande
• Water Division: 3
• Date: 3/1/1996
• Author: Dept of the Interior
• Title: 1996 Calendar Year Report to the Rio Grande Compact Commission
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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1996 Report to the Rio Grande Compact Commission

Bureau of Reclamation

The coordinated forecast from the National Weather Service and the Soil Conservation
Service for the 1997 March through July runoff season so far is as follows:

Otowi San Marcial
Runoff (af) % of 30-Year Runoff (af) % of 30-Year
Month (Mar-JuU Average (Mar-JuU Average
Jan 01 900,000 131 700,000 140
Feb 01 1,175,000 171 920,000 184
Mar 01 1,125,000 164 880,000 176

Project Irrigation and Drainage Systems and Title Transfer

The irrigation and drainage system continued to be operated and maintained by
Elephant Butte Irrigation District in the New Mexico portion of the project and by EI
Paso County Water Improvement District No, 1 in the Texas portion of the project in
1996. Reclamation administers the lands and right-of-way activities of reservoir and
diversion dam areas. In 1992, Congress authorized the transfer of title to certain
irrigation facilities to the districts. Activities to complete National Environmental Policy
Act requirements for transfer of facilities were conducted during 1995. The Final
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the transfer of
lands and irrigation facilities to Elephant Butte Irrigation District and to EI Paso County .
Water Improvement District No. 1 was completed January 19, 1996. Reclamation
announced the official transfer of the irrigation and drainage rights-of-way and facilities
to the districts on January 22, 1996,

Reclamation retained operation and maintenance responsibilities for Elephant Butte and
Caballo Dams and Reservoirs. Operation and maintenance of the diversion dams are
performed by the districts under contracts with Reclamation. Reclamation retained the
rights-of-way and title of reserved works for Percha, Leasburg, and Mesilla Diversion
Dams, The districts performed water accounting flow measurements at canal
headings, river stations, and lateral headings during 1996, Reclamation coordinated
and maintained central control of releases, river operations, and water accounting,
The International Boundary and Water Commission continued to operate and maintain
the American Diversion Dam and the American Canal during 1996 in accordance with
the International Treaty, In addition, the International Boundary and Water
Commission operated the International Dam which diverts irrigation waters into the

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