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RGDSS Memorandum <br />Final <br />TO: Ray Bennett <br />FROM: Ed Armbruster, Hydrosphere <br />SUBJECT: RGDSS Surface Water, Task 4.2 -Division 3 Engineer Interview <br />DATE: June 28, 1999 <br />CC: Randy Seaholm <br />Introduction <br />This memorandum represents delivery associated with Task 4.2, Division Engineer Interview / <br />Prepare Summary Memoranda. The objective of this task is as follows: <br />Meet with the Division 3 Engineer and assistant regarding Compact and day-to-day <br />administration of surface and groundwater issues. <br />On February 12, 1999, an interview was conducted with the Assistant Division Engineer of Water <br />Division 3. On May 27, 1999, an additional interview was held with the Division 3 Engineer. <br />The purpose of these interviews was to develop a better understanding of water rights and Rio <br />Grande Compact administration such that this information could be reflected in surface water <br />modeling efforts associated with the Rio Grande Decision Support System (RGDSS). The <br />following discussion summarizes information developed during these interviews. <br />Division Engineer and Assistant Division Engineer <br />The Division Engineer for Colorado Water Division 3 is Steve Vandiver. The Assistant Division <br />3 Engineer is Mike Sullivan. Mr. Vandiver has served as Division 3 Engineer since 1981. Mr. <br />Sullivan has served as Assistant Division Engineer for approximately 1 year. <br />Geographic Area of Responsibility <br />Water Division 3 comprises the Rio Grande Basin in Colorado. This area, the San Luis Valley, is <br />one of the largest farming areas in Colorado, and over 90 percent of water use is for agricultural <br />purposes. The Valley is bordered to the East by the Sangre de Cristo Range and to the West by <br />the San Juan Mountains. The north half of the Valley is also characterized by a large sump area <br />known as the Closed Basin. Many of the drainages originating from the northern portions of the <br />Valley are tributary to the Closed Basin. Separate administration of water rights occurs on many <br />different streams and rivers because of the hydrologic disconnection between these surface waters <br />and the mainstem. <br />Water Resources Administered <br />Water resources administered in Division 3 include all those where water rights have been <br />decreed by the State of Colorado. Included in Division3 are water rights located on: <br />C:\cdss\Div3_Mem2.doc Division 3 Interview June 28, 1999 -Page 1 of 8 <br />