Rio Grande - Platoro Reservoir Restoration_Application & Scope of Work

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Water Supply Reserve Account - Grant Application Form Fonn Revised May 2007 The District plays a vital role in optimizing existing and future water supplies in several ii,ays. First, the District receives a proportional amount of ii ater fi°onf the Closed Basin Project to offset the injury fr°oin Valley i-j,ells. This LISBR project, envisioned at the time of the signing of the Rio Grande Compact, was well intentioned, but the program has not produced as envisioned and therefore the anfount of injury is not being snbstantially reduced. Second, the Districtprovides augmentation water to the many sunmfer° homes being bifilt in the Conejos Canyon. In 1992 a number of small augnfentation plans had been proposed in the court systein. CWCD felt these plans iwidd become difficult to administer as they increased in mimber. The District approached the State ii4th the proposition of one lamer plan for the entire reach of Conejos Canyon. The District filed and obtained a decree in 1993 (case -93CW-10) and again in 1995 (case ?95CW24) alloii,ing a yearly use of 100 acre feet from Platoro Reservoir for augmentation purposes. This now enables the District to issue a certificate to the property owner which the State will recognize as sufficient to issue a well permit. This places an obligation upon the District to release water from the reservoir to offset the depletion to the system caused by the use of the iwll. The Board of CWCD has ahw1iw taken a leading role in protecting the Valley's water. Keeping Platoro Reservoir in excellent operational condition is essential to preventing loss and waste and to optimizing existing and fittifre water supplies. • Enhance recreational opportunities: This project protects, supports, and preserves the ivater° quality and the integrity of the many recreational resources which depend on Platoro Reservoir and the overall health of the Conejos, inchiding mamerons resorts and recreational dude ranches in the downstream communities of Conejos Canyon. Platoro Reservoir is approximately 50 iniles west ofAntonito in the Conejos Canyon at an elevation of 10, 034 feet The reservoir itself supports widely publicized recreational opportunities for hunting, fishing, boating, ice-fishing, hiking, horseback riding and the quieter enjoyments of watchable wildlife, nature photography and bird watching. Doimstream f °om Platoro the spectacular Conejos Canyon is noted as a top trout stream and vacation mecca. Elk hunting and fishing in the high country and the appeal of ghost towns and old inining claims in the region draii, tourists fr°oin around the ia,orld who come to ride the Cnmbres and Toltec Scenic Railwoy, one of the last narrow gauge railroads and to explore the historic attractions of the old Spanish trail fi•oin Taos and Santa Fe. "Platoro - or ' plata- oro - means "silver-gold ", recalling the once-rowdy and vibrant mining town which is now a growing resort community adjoining the reservoir. The reser voir° is promoted in tourist literature on the Web as "America's largest lake located above 9, 900 feet elevation. - Keeping Platoro in excellent operational condition for private and public uses is essential for maintaining minimum str°eam flows during loii,, loij,s; protecting from flood during high flows; and preserving the clear clean rivers and streams everybody thinks about when they think of camping, fishing and boating in Colorado. 13