RGDSS_Task4_SantaMariaRes_Interview

• Title: RGDSS Task 4 - Basin Interviews
• Description: Memo documenting interview with Santa Maria Reservoir Company.
• Decision Support - Doc Type: Task Memorandum
• Date: 7/6/1999
• DSS Category: Surface Water
• DSS: Rio Grande
• Basin: Rio Grande
• Contract/PO #: C153863
• Grant Type: Non-Reimbursable
• Bill Number: HB98-1189, SB99-173
• Prepared By: Leonard Rice Engineering

RGDSS Memorandum
Final
TO: Ray Bennett
FROM: Ed Armbruster, Hydrosphere
SUBJECT: RGDSS Surface Water, Task 4.7 -Santa Maria Reservoir Company
Interview
DATE: July 6, 1999
CC: Randy Seaholm
Introduction
This memorandum represents partial delivery (1 of 12 interviews) associated with Task 4.7, Ditch
Operator Interviews /Prepare Summary Memoranda. The objective of this task is as follows:
Meet with large and/or critical ditch companies in the San Luis Talley to discuss their
facilities and operations.
On March 11, 1999, an interview was conducted with Mr. Barry Nelson, superintendent of the
Santa Maria Reservoir Company (Company). The purpose of this interview was to develop a
better understanding of Company facilities and operations such that this information could be
reflected in surface water modeling efforts associated with the Rio Grande Decision Support
System (RGDSS). The following discussion summarizes information developed during this
interview.
Company Structure and Organization
The Santa Maria Reservoir Company is anon-profit company originally formed in the late
1890's. Their address and phone number are as follows:
Santa Maria Reservoir Company
P.O. Box 288
147 Washington Street
Monte Vista, CO
81144
Telephone: [phone]
Assets of the Company include decreed water rights, and Santa Maria and Continental reservoirs.
Facilities
Continental Reservoir was constructed in 1926 and is located on North Clear Creek, a tributary to
the headwaters of the Rio Grande. Santa Maria Reservoir was constructed in 1910 and is an off-
channel reservoir. Water is stored in Santa Maria Reservoir by diverting through a pipeline from
North Clear Creek at a point below Continental Reservoir. In addition, Santa Maria can capture
C:Acdss\SMRes.doc Santa Maria Reservoir Company Interview July 6, 1999 -Page 1 of 4