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<br />~ <br /> <br />j <br />'. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Blanco Diversion Dam and Tunnel were completed during May 1969: Little Oso <br />and Oso Diversion Dams and Oso Tunnel were completed in November 1970; as was <br />Azotea Tunnel, whose construction began six years earlier, in April 1964. Azotea <br />Creek channelization was completed during December 1968; Willow Creek <br />channelization was completed in August 1970; and construction of Heron Dam, began <br />in August 1967, was completed in June 1971. <br /> <br />HERON RESERVOIR--SAN JUAN-CHAMA PROJECT <br /> <br />Principles of Heron Reservoir Operation <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Heron Reservoir is operated in compliance with the Rio Grande Compact. There <br />are no provisions for storage of Rio Grande Basin water (Le. natural water) in Heron; <br />therefore, all natural inflow is bypassed. Two basic principles control the water <br />release schedule from Heron Reservoir. The first is that groundwater pumping by <br />contractors and those that lease their water results in an annual depletion of the <br />Rio Grande. These depletions are offset by releases of SJ-C water from Heron <br />Reservoir sufficient to assure that no residual affect occurs to natural waters of the <br />Rio Grande due to project operations. The Interstate Stream Commission determines <br />the amount released and recommends when the release is to be made. In addition, <br />project waters are conveyed past Otowi for use by downstream contractors. This <br />includes the City of Albuquerque for its SJ-C pool (50,000 ac-ft) and the legislated <br />permanent recreation pool (50,000 ac-ft) both in Elephant Butte Reservoir, the City's <br />agreement with the Interstate Stream Commission to mail)tain the, sediment pool at, <br />Jemez Canyon Reservoir, and MRGCD for supplemental irrigation water. San <br />Juan-Chama water is also released past Otowi for the legislated permanent recreation <br />pool at Cochiti Reservoir. <br /> <br />The second principle is that carryover storage into the next year is not permitted <br />in Heron Reservoir. Contractually, if contractors have not called for their water to be <br />released by December 31, the water normally remains in Heron as part of the project <br />supply and no longer belongs to the contractors. It is available, however, during <br />following years to meet annual allocations. <br /> <br />'e <br /> <br />Reclamation has, on occasion, given temporary waivers to contractors to allow <br />carryover until April 30, in order to provide release rates on the Rio Chama that would <br />enhance fisheries between EI Vado Dam and Abiquiu Reservoir. The waivers have <br />also provided an added benefit of increased flexibility for managing river flows. Such <br />waivers are analyzed on their merits each year. The no-carryover stipulation often <br />results in contractors seeking storage for their unused water in reservoirs downstream <br />of Heron. EI Vado, Abiquiu, Jemez Canyon, and Elephant Butte Reservoirs have all <br />been used for storage of SJ-C waters. Another factor influencing Heron releases is <br />ice cover on the reservoir, which may present a safety hazard to people who may be <br /> <br />4 <br />