Laserfiche WebLink
RGDSS Memorandum <br />Final <br />TO: Ray Bennett <br />FROM: Ed Armbruster, Hydrosphere <br />SUBJECT: RGDSS Surface Water, Task 4.6 -San Luis Valley Project, Closed Basin <br />Division Interview <br />DATE: June 23, 1999 <br />CC: Randy Seaholm <br />Introduction <br />This memorandum represents delivery associated with Task 4.6, Closed Basin Division <br />Interviews /Prepare Summary Memoranda. The objective of this task is as follows: <br />Meet with federal representatives regarding Closed Basin Division purposes, facilities <br />and day-to-day operations. <br />On February 25, 1999, an interview was conducted with Mr. Richard Demlo, Manager for the <br />U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Alamosa Field Division, and Ms. Ella Mae Herrera, Facilities <br />Operations Specialist. The purpose of this interview was to develop a better understanding of the <br />Closed Basin Division facilities and operations such that this information could be reflected in <br />surface water modeling efforts associated with the Rio Grande Decision Support System <br />(RGDSS). The following discussion summarizes information developed during this interview. <br />Project Overview <br />The Closed Basin Division (Project) is a "water salvage" project operated by the U.S. Bureau of <br />Reclamation in the Closed Basin of the San Luis Valley. The Project consists of shallow wells <br />used to pump groundwater from the unconfined aquifer, thereby "salvaging" water from non- <br />beneficial evapotranspiration by native vegetation. The Project was originally investigated in the <br />early 1900s, but was not authorized until 1972. Construction of the Project was begun in 1981 <br />and proceeded through a five stage development, with the final stage being completed in 1993. <br />The first water deliveries from the Project were made in 1986. <br />Project Location <br />The Closed Basin Division of the San Luis Valley Project is located within the Closed Basin of <br />the San Luis Valley. The Closed Basin is an area located north and east of the Rio Grande River <br />bordered on the east by the Sangre de Cristo Range and on the west by the San Juan Mountains. <br />The Closed Basin has an internal drainage area of 2,940 square miles and is separated from the <br />Rio Grande watershed by a low alluvial divide. Several creeks and diversions from the Rio <br />Grande drain into the Closed Basin, but no surface water flows out. <br />C:Acdss\CBP.doc Closed Basin Division Interview June 23, 1999 -Page 1 of 5 <br />