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• Alamosa River <br />• La Jara Creek <br />• Hot Creek <br />• Arroyo Creek <br />• Several other minor tributaries to the Alamosa River and La Jara Creek <br />Stream Flow Measurement Points <br />There are several stream flow measurement points along the Alamosa River and La Jara Creek. <br />The most significant measurement points are the gauging stations located on La Jara Creek at <br />Gallegos Ranch (ID No. 8238000), on the Alamosa River above Terrace Reservoir (ID No. <br />8236000) and on the Alamosa River below Terrace Reservoir (ID No. 8236500). These gages are <br />used by the District Commissioners in their day-to-day administration of water rights. <br />Other important gages utilized by District Commissioners include those located at San Luis <br />Valley Drain Ditch, Richfield Canal, Empire Canal and the Lowland and Overflow Ditch. In <br />addition, stage (contents) are recorded on a daily basis for major storage reservoirs. <br />Direct Flow Water Rights and Ditch Capacity Issues <br />District 21 is somewhat unique in that it has two equally significant water supplies which must be <br />administered. Both the Alamosa River and La Jara Creek drain east towards the Rio Grande. <br />However, normal surface flow from the Alamosa River does not reach the Rio Grande, and La <br />Jara Creek is a surface tributary only during very high flow conditions (greater than 150 cfs). For <br />these reasons and as set forth in a 1980 Supreme Court decision, normal surface flows on the <br />Alamosa and La Jara systems are not subject to water use limitations set forth under the Rio <br />Grande Compact, and are administered separately from water rights on the Rio Grande and <br />Conejos River. However, discussions with Division 3 Office indicated that the treatment of high <br />flows on the Alamosa and La Jara contributing to the Rio Grande might be administered as part <br />of the Rio Grande Compact. <br />There are approximately 80 decreed surface water diversion points within District 21. <br />Approximately one-half of District 21 structures divert water from the Alamosa River, and one- <br />halffrom La Jara Creek. Because they are two separate water supplies, water rights on the <br />Alamosa and La Jara are administered somewhat independently. However, water is transferred <br />from the Alamosa River to La Jara Creek using the Miller Ditch (74.87 cfs), the Ramona Ditch <br />(2.2 cfs) ,the Garcia 2 Ditch (3.5 cfs) and the Capulin Ditch (8.5 cfs). Water transferred from the <br />Miller Ditch, Ramona Ditch, Garcia No. 2 Ditch or Capulin Ditch is charged a 10 percent <br />shrinkage loss. Water is not physically transferred from La Jara Creek to the Alamosa River. <br />All transfer ditches are fitted with F-Type recorders to monitor transfer amounts. Water that is <br />transferred from the Alamosa to La Jara is done so for the purposes of making deliveries to <br />specific ditch owners. Structures on La Jara Creek that receive water diverted from the Alamosa <br />River include: <br />• Miller Ditch transfer: Miller - La Jara <br />• Ramona Ditch transfer: Romona, Nate Garrett, Hardtack (North and South) <br />• Garcia 2 Ditch transfer: Garcia 2, Nate Garrett, Hardtack (North and South) <br />• Capulin Ditch transfer: Capulin, Newcomb Bros., Nate Garrett, Hardtack (No. and So.) <br />C:Acdss\D21_Mem.doc District 21 InterviewJuly 2, 1999 -Page 2 of 8 <br />