Rio Grande - Platoro Reservoir Restoration_Water Activity Summary

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Water Supply Reserve Account - Grant and Loan Program Water Activity Summary Sheet Applicant: Conejos Water Conservancy District Water Activity Name: Platoro Reservoir Restoration Amount Requested: $250,000 Source of Funds: $50,000 (Rio Grande Basin Account) and $200,000 (Statewide Account) Matching Funds: $250,000 (50% match) Water Activity Purpose: Structural improvements County: Conejos Drainage Basin: Rio Grande Water Source: Conejos River Staff Recommendation Staff recommends approval of up to $50,000 from the Rio Grande Basin Account and $200,000 from the Statewide Account to help complete the Platoro Reservoir Restoration project contingent on resolution of the item in the issues/additional needs section. Water Activity Summary: Platoro Reservoir is on the Conejos River and tributary to the Rio Grande River in south central Colorado. It is an earth filled dam with an embankment height of 165 feet. The reservoir has a capacity of 59,570AF with 6,060AF for flood control and 53,510AF for joint use. This project repairs, replaces, and upgrades components of the Platoro Reservoir. Efforts funded from other sources include installing a bypass piping system to maintain minimum flows during construction and re- coating of the penstocks. The WSRA fielding request is for replacing the valves and operators on the dam. The project will help keep the Platoro Reservoir facility in working order so that Colorado can continue to meet its obligations under the Rio Grande Compact and provide for flood control, irrigation, river fishery, endangered species protection, dam safety, and recreation, for the 100,000 acre District service area. The project restores the Reservoir to full operating functionality so it can continue to sustainably meet the agricultural demands of the District and therefore optimize existing and future water supplies. This project will help preserve agricultural in the region and ensure both the quantity and the quality of water in the Conejos by the safe and proper regulation of flows from the Reservoir. The Rio Grande Basin Roundtable has determined that the single most critical water issue confronting the Basin is the current unsustainable management of surface and ground water. The San Luis Valley's reservoirs are key components of the Basin's ability to manage its water resources. If the Reservoir problems are not corrected soon they may threaten the operational efficiency and diminish Colorado's ability to meet its Compact obligations. The USBR has been insisting since 1995 that the District make these repairs but a six year drought which diminished storage revenues, and the costs of repairs made it difficult.