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.6

STORABLE FLOW ANALYSES

Task Element No: 6b

Generation of modeling input data unique
to the Rio Grande Basin.

Purpose: The general ized river basin simulation model requires
data sets created for a particular storable flow determination.

Approach:

1. Information collected in Tasks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 will be
reviewed to determine the crit ical aspects (water suppl ies,
water rights, USBR project operation, etc.) which need
to be included in the model. Attempts will be made to
keep the data bases for the model as simple as possible.
For example, the Conejos River may be considered only
as historic gaged inflows to the Rio Grande for use in
the determination of the Rio Grande Compact demand with L
water rights on the Conejos River not considered.
2. A model network of water rights and water projects
important to the storable flow determination will be
generated. Particul ar attention will be paid to major
diversions within the two river reaches where a storage
site is to be determined in this study. Smaller water
rights may be combined or omitted in the modeling
effort. A schematic of location of major water rights
considered in the model ing will be prepared.
3. If appropriate, groundwater usage (as determined from
SEO investigations) along the mainstem of the Rio Grande
will be incorporated in a simpl istic fashion into the
model to account for the contribution of that usage to
surface return flow patterns. Finite difference or
finite element modeling of the groundwater is not
appropriate for this type of storable flow analyses.
4. An adjusted flow base on which to superimpose the water
demands will be generated based on historic streamflows
(or correlated flows) adjusted for historic diversions
and return flows of systems to be modeled. Correlations
will be performed to extend historic native flow records
through the study period.
5. Operational data for the modeled water demands and
supplies in the basin will be developed (including the
Rio Grande Compact). The water suppl y and demand scenarios
may be developed to reflect the following variations:

1. Two scenarios of Closed Basin deliveries (probably
reflecting 60,000 and 90,000 acre-feet of average
annual Closed Basin deliveries to the Rio Grande).

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~ Leonard Rice Consulting Waler Engineers, Inc.