ALP 3

Contents
Reservoir Filling
Reclamation began filling Lake Nighthorse with Animas River water in May 2009. The
Durango Pumping Plant started filling the reservoir from its bottom elevation at 6730 feet and
continued pumping water into the reservoir through July 2009. During this period,
approximately 25,000 acre -feet of water was pumped into Lake Nighthorse. The Durango
Pumping Plant's maximum pumping rate capacity is 280 cfs and; - makes a 511 ft vertical climb
before going downhill again to enter the reservoir. The threetxi+rth pumping period filled the
reservoir to about 20 percent of its storage capacity and brought the reservoirs surface elevation
to 6795 feet httn: / /www.usbr.p-ov /uc /vroizact /animas /uod t Itli �
In March 2010, filling of the reservoir cone
for a planned 30 day holding period. Four
the filling process to evaluate the structural
also allowing for equipment maintenance.
December 2010, but ceased for a period in
the Animas River. For 2010, a total ofa
from the Animas River and with runotfroi
elevation up to near 6850 feet or about 66,;f
but at a reduced ra
continued through+
bring the reservoir
(M. Domingos,pei
La Plata
;d:unti, July 2010, when the pumping was stopped
temental holding periods ve,planned throughout
,gity of the dam and its associated facilities while
nping resumed In August 20109 aad continued into
iember hi ,effi3rt to meet minimum bypass flows in
acre -feet of.tuater was added to Lake Nighthorse
asin Creek, brought the reservoir's surface water
ri March 2021,:pumping resumed again
grdaI Animas River flow. Pumping
acre- feet'ln just over a 3 month period to
2 ft and totaling 120,000 acre -feet
11).
Related Fisheries Issues
Both the Colzado Parks and Wildlife and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (along
with their sister agencies fromizona, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming) have entered into a
Conservation Agredli.Pent for rotmiltail chub (Gala robusta), bluehead sucker (Catostomus
discobolus), and flan ""Sucker (C. latipinnis) in an effort to expedite implementation of
conservation measures to reduce and minimize negative impacts to these native fish species. The
goal of this agreement is to ensure the persistence of roundtail chub, bluehead and flannelmouth
sucker populations throughout their respective native range (Colo. River Fish and Wildlife
Council 2006). As part of fulfilling this agreement, the introduction or enhancement of
nonnative fish populations within the range of these Conservation Agreement species can be
detrimental to existing native fish populations thus, emphasizing the importance of eliminating
fish survival through Ridges Basin Dam.
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