Rio Grande - Rio Grande Reservoir Reoperation and Optimization Model_Modeling Summary

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water interests in the Basin in evaluating the potential impacts and benefits of changes in storage and release patterns from the Reservoir. The work proposed includes working with and providing assistance to various entities interested in utilizing storage at the Reservoir and making necessary enhancements to the model to provide specific results to those entities. Efforts would also be made to work with entities not directly utilizing storage in the Reservoir, but have an interest in environmental effects of the storage and release patterns on streainflows. Specific tasks include: Task 1. Refine Inputs and Modeling Needs for the Reservoir Reoperation and Optimization Model • Modeling workshop with Division Engineer and representatives of kvater users, including the Rio Grande Water Users and Rio Grande Water Conservation District, to refine water use data and beneficial Model enhancements including: water rights data, Compact deliveries and flow projections, curtailments, stream gains and losses, direct flow storage utilization, and potential demands from groundwater management subdistricts • Modeling workshops with potential storage pool holders, including Division Engineer (Compact Storage), Division of Wildlife, and San Luis Vallev Water Conservancy District to refine long-term storage needs and water delivery scenarios to best address water use needs and potentially meeting stream flow and riparian demands • Modeling Norkshops with environmental group representatives and U.S. Forest Service to refine and determine how to best optimize available flows to better meet fish, riparian and other environmental needs and quantify the benefits of the modeled changes. Task 2. Enhance Model by Adding: • Simplified representation of water rights and deliveries • Curtailment calculations given available Compact storage and streainflow forecasting • Refined stream gains and loss data • Inclusion of stream flow forecasts • Dynamic linkage of hydropower analysis to Model • More detailed and quantifiable environmental flow analysis • Other relevant data gathered from Division Engineer, water user organizations, storage participants and land use and environmental interests. Task 3. Address other issues pertaining to hydropower usage including legal issues, permitting, existing power infrastructure evaluation, and investigation into available hvdropoNver technical options. Threshola' anal Evaluation Criteria The application articulates how the project meets all four Threshold Criteria. Funcling Overvieu, Grant funding in the amount of $100,000 is being requested from the Rio Grande Basin Account. Funding from the WSRA constitutes 100% of refining and enhancing the model, but only a small portion of the overall project cost. In September of 2007 this project received $228,000 from the WSRA Statewide Account for preliminary design work. Discussion: The overall water activity if successful has the potential to address many important needs in the Rio Grande basin. Rapid growth in the South Fork area is placing pressure on limited upstream water supplies. Administration issues associated with the Rio Grande Compact have always been a challenge for the State Division Engineer. There is also potential to help address agricultural, and environmental/recreationally needs. If successful the water activity could address multiple needs, with the participation of multiple stakeholders and would be a tremendous asset for the Rio Grande basin. The added of helping address compact administration would also be of great value to the state. 2