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<br /> <br />2.a.!l. ~u.!. s _L.!k~ s _ CE.m.e.1~" <br /> <br />,,~ <br /> <br />Ilo.,..~-t <br />~, <br /> <br />Head Lake and San Luis Lake are located in Stage 3 of the project area, as seen <br />by the map on the following page. <br /> <br />\.<-'-4 <br />'J....-t <br /> <br />.("~ <br /> <br />The San Luis Lake-~ead Lake area was once e popular recreation spot for camping, <br />fishing and boating until about the 1960's. Saline conditions and irriga- <br />tion diversions caused the lake to stagnat~. By 1963 all the lake's minnows, <br />trout, carp, and amphibians were dead. <br /> <br />Since then saline bui.ldups and fluctuating water levels have kept aquatic life <br />at marginal limits. In order to incr.ease the lake's surface area and fresh <br />water supply, a turnout from the conveyance channel will run to the northeast <br />side of San Luis Lake. The lake will be stabilized at a surface area of about <br />890 acres using a flowthrough system. The recreation potential of the area will <br />be restored. <br /> <br />Camping, sanitation facilities, and improved roads will be installed at the San <br />Luis-Head Lake Recreation area. The facility's location, on a direct route to <br />the heavily visited Great Sand Dunes National Monument, further enhances its <br />recreational value. <br /> <br />The Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Fish and Wildlife Service's trout <br />hatching and rearing facilities in the San Luis Valley area are presently inade- <br />quate. This is due to limited water supplies of suitable quality and quantity. <br />A new Colorado Division of Wildlife hatchery is planned for San Luis Lake. <br />However, this will not be funded through the Project. <br /> <br />The San Luis Lakes Complex is one of five major waterfowl concentrations in the <br />San Luis Valley. It is an important area for migrating as well as resident <br />waterfowl. During most years, especially wet ones, the valley produces many <br />thousands of waterfowl. Surplus irrigation waters (a primary BOurce of water <br />for wetlands within the project area) have been significantly reduced in recent <br />years by more efficient water management. The increased water supply resulting <br />from project development will encourage waterfowl nesting and production on an <br />annual basis. Higher surface water levels will also be maintained during fall <br />migrations when little or no water has been available. More ducks, pheasants, <br />geese, and doves will be attracted to the area. <br /> <br />!l,!m~s,!-~o_~t~ Ii! t,! ~aE.i~n,!l_ W.!.l5!.l.!.f~ ~e !.u.&e <br /> <br />The AlamosB National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is a IO,358-acre wildlife <br />management area which is managed primarily for waterfowl. <br /> <br />The conveyance channel will discharge into the Rio Grande within the boundaries <br />of the ANWR. The refuge will be provided with about 5,300 acre-feet of water <br />per year to grow crops for waterfowl feeding and to provide additional wetlands. <br />The water supply provides for acres of ponds; marshes, and irrigated hay <br />meadows. <br /> <br />.' <br /> <br />-13- <br /> <br /> <br />i <br />i <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />1 <br /> <br />,I <br /> <br />- <br />