WSP09247

• File Number: 8543
• Description: Closed Basin Division
• State: CO
• Basin: Rio Grande
• Water Division: 3
• Date: 1/1/1984
• Author: USDIO - BOR
• Title: San Luis Valley Project - Colorado Closed Basin Division - Design and Planning
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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However, in conjunction with the Department of Energy, a solar powered pump has
been installed near Hooper. The photovoltllic system includes two arrays of
collec tor module s. The solar power coIlec ted provides enough energy to
power a 7t hI' pump, enough to pump ahout 380 gpm from a depth of about 40 feet.

Research on the potential use of wind powe"' "",s conducted from November of 1980
\lntil April of 1983. Two Hesouet units wet,. Joe..ted in the San Luis Valley:
one near the tOIMn of Mosca, Colorado Dn.l~nc at a Bllre,;u of Land Management
repeater site near the Great Sand Dune, National Honulllent. After a year of
mon.itoring at tht~ Masea site an.d 26 month'~ of IDoj'J,itoL'lng at the repeater site,
it was found that the str~ngths and velociti",~ of \~ind were not consistent
enough to prDvide a vial> Ie source of ener!gy.

The Mosca unit was then placed on 1.8 Veta Pass. It indicated good wind power
potential. However, costly access to the site and high construction costs
limited further study of the area for wind power. Funds are no longer available
for continued research.

OPERATXONS AND MAINTENANCE

Wells and pumps will operate on " 24-hour-a-day, year-round basis. The wells
will be controlled by a computer sys tem located at the Alamosa office for
operations and maintenance.

This system will consist of a central processing unit in Alamosa, and a remote
terminal at each well. If well or pump operations have a problem the flow rate
can be controlled directly from the office.

Bureau employees will make regular checks .of project features and perform main-
tenance and repairs as necessary.

MITIGATION FEATURES OF THE CLOSED BASIN DIVISION

Development of the Closed Basin Division will have an overall beneficial effect
on the uses of wetland areas, wildlife and waterfowl. Almost all of the improve-
ments planned are being coordinated and managed by the Colorado Division of
Wildlife.

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The water added to the flow of the Rio Grande will enhance the ecology of the
river. The water will increase the bottom habitat area for aquatic life.
Increased bottom habitat is important to organisms which feed off the streambed
and p~ovide a primary source of food, directly and indirectly, for many fish
species living in the Rio Grande.

Semiaquatic animals such as beaver, muskrat, and amphibians, will benefit from
the increased surface area and depth of the river. They will be able to find
more food and streamside vegetative cover.

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