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The completion of this project has been a great accomplishment. With the installation of these <br />valves the useful life for the safe operation of Platoro dam is extended greatly. The expected <br />service life of these valves is 60-75 years. <br />We can more accurately control the flow of water at the dam. This will pay dividends in the <br />better management of Colorado's stored Compact water, irrigator's direct flow water, and the <br />District's project water. With the more refined control now possible with these valves, we will be <br />able to more accurately use the storage space in the reservoir. <br />During possible flood scenarios, control of discharge is much safer now. With the design of the <br />Jet-flow gates, there is virtually no chance of cavitations. The leaf edge and the seal edge of the <br />valve are specially designed to allow for safe variable releases of water at the exit point. This not <br />only extends the useful life and performance at low flows, it is also safer for extended periods of <br />high releases. The vibration limits and control shift limits are still honored, however we can now <br />potentially stay near those limits for extended periods of time if conditions warrant. <br />With the cooperation of CDWR, BOR, and USFS this project was completed while still <br />maintaining the required 7cfs minimum flows to the fisheries downstream. All work and <br />coordination were done with an exceptional care for the river flow requirements. The USFS, the <br />District, and the CDWR all measured river flows and maintained communications very well to <br />ensure that there was no inadvertent damage to the stream dependant life downstream of the <br />project. <br />The CWCB has done a good thing with this investment in the infrastructure and water resource <br />management tools for Colorado. This project would not have been possible without the Rio <br />Grande Basin Roundtable and the CWCB. This project shows that partnerships and cooperation <br />do create a synergy and acceleration far well thought out beneficial ideas coming to fruition. We <br />as the Conejos Water Conservancy District acknowledge your efforts and thank you far making <br />this project not only possible but also a huge success. <br />Respectfully submitted by Nathan Coombs — District Manager <br />� <br />