PUB00128

• Year: 1986
• Title: Rio Grande Water Supply Study Phase I Plan of Study
• CWCB Section: Interstate & Federal
• Author: Leonard Rice Consulting Water Engineers, Inc.
• Description: A plan submitted to the San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District by the CWCB
• Publications - Doc Type: Tech Report

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Task No.3

EVALUATION OF CLOSED BASIN PROJECT EFFECT ON A NEW
STORAGE PROJECT

Task Element No: 3a

USBR activities on Closed Basin Project
evaluation.

Purpose: The Closed Basin Project envisions that an annual
average of 60,000 to 90,000 acre-feet will be delivered to
the Rio Grande from the San Luis Valley. Its operation
therefore needs to be understood since it could have a
significant impact on the storable flows to a new reservoir
proj ect.

Approach:

1. Collect and revie\v publ ications (such as the Definite
Plan Report and the Final Environmental Statement) on
the Closed Basin Project.
2. Interview the USBR's project manager for the Closed
Basin Project to obtain current information on the project.
3. The focus in the reviews and interviews will be on
collecting the data required to estimate the volume and
timing of the Closed Basin Project's accretions to the
Rio Grande. Since Colorado cannot take credit (against
Compact del ivery requirements) for new project water unless
certain water quality provisions are met, investigations
wi 11 al so focus on the water qual ity and whether it is
1 ikely that Project water will be able to be credited
against Colorado's Compact obligations.
4. The USBR will develop two compact scenarios for del iveries
of Closed Basin water to the Rio Grande. These scenarios
will probably be based on 1) 60,000 acre-feet of average
annual del iveries and 2) 90,000 acre-feet of average
annual deliveries. The scenarios will describe the
monthly deliveries to the Rio Grande to be used for the
selected study period in the model ing.
5. A working paper (with sufficient information to form
the basis for a chapter in the final report) will be
prepared describing the USBR's review of existing
information, project history, envisioned Project operation
(and problems of) and a description of the monthly
compact del iveries to be used in the study. This working
paper will include discussion on whether the Project
imports to the Rio Grande Basin will be credited to
Colorado's Compact obligations.

Work Product: A USSR working paper discussing the Closed Basin
Project's background, history, existing and proposed operation.
Also provided will be two scenarios for the estimated compact
accretions to the Rio Grande for the suggested study period.

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~ Leonard Rice Consulling Waler Engineers, Inc.