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<br />" <br /> <br />DRAFT <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />HELTON & WILLIAMSEN, P.C. <br />CONSULTING ENGINEERS IN WATER RESOURCES <br />384 INVERNESS PARKWAY, SUITE 144 <br />ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112-5822 <br />PHONE (303) 792-2161 <br />FAX (303) 792-2165 <br /> <br />OCT <br /> <br />r. (", <br />L iJ <br /> <br />October 16, 2003 <br /> <br />Mr. Travis Smith, Superintendent <br />San Luis Valley Irrigation District <br />P.O. Box 637 <br />Center, Colorado 81125 <br /> <br />Subject: Water Available to a Potenticif Rio Grande Reservoir Enlargement <br /> <br />Dear Travis: <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />This report presents the results of our investigation of the water that would be available <br />for storage and regulation in an enlargement of Rio Grande Reservoir. We understand that the <br />San Luis Valley Irrigation District needs the results of this analysis for its consideration of the <br />feasibility of such an enlargement. Specifically, our investigation covered (1) water that would be <br />available for storage in the potential reservoir enlargement under the Rio Grande Compact and <br />the terms and conditions imposed on post-compact water rights in the "Tres Rios" decree, (2) <br />water that could be regulated in the reservoir enlargement for compact purposes, and (3) water <br />that could be regulated under the direct flow storage rights held by the District, Rio Grande <br />Canal Water Users Association, and Commonwealth Irrigation Company. As explained later, we <br />used water years 1946-2002 for analysis because of the availability of data for the historical <br />reservoir contents. Our general reasoning in this investigation was that water would be available <br />for the reservoir enlargement only when the existing reservoir filled historically or would have <br />filled under the current approach to adm.inistration for compliance with the Rio Grande Compact. <br /> <br />" <br /> <br />In addition to the results of our calculations, this report presents some background on <br />Rio Grande Reservoir, the Rio Grande Compact and the administration thereunder, and the <br />Tres Rios decree which was entered in Case No. 91CW29. <br /> <br />RIO GRANDE RESERVOIR BACKGROUND <br /> <br />. Rio Grande Reservoir is owned and operated by the San Luis Valley Irrigation District. It <br />"" is located on the mainstem of the Rio Grande In Hinsdale County, approximately 20 miles <br />southwest of Creede as shown in Figure 1. It is situated at an elevation of 9,449 feet and <br />