BOARD01026 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

..... 2007 100 YEARS OF SAN LUIS VALLEY RESERVOIRS Celebrating the Crowning Jewels of the Rio Grande Basin The year was 1907. Since the Embargo of 1896, people of the San Luis Valley had pleaded with the federal government for permission to build dams for irrigation storage. And finally, the Embargo was lifted enough to allow construction to proceed. One hundred years later these same reservoirs provide not only irrigation water, but recreation, fISh and wildlife habitat, and flood control. It is time to recognize their value. In 1952, another 100 year anniversary was celebrated - "100 Years of Irrigation in Colorado." Since the very frrst irrigation right of the state had been granted for the People's Ditch in San Luis, this major event took place here in the valley. There were notable speakers from across Colorado, banquets, and fun - a time to acknowledge the lifeblood of this region, water. Now would be a good time to follow that example of gathering together people interested and dependent on water to commemorate the efforts of 100 years ago. The accomplishments were immense; from raising money, locating sites, the engineering work, to dam construction using horses, wagons, hydraulic sluicing, trains, man'power - and done without government support. Potential committee members: Conservation and Conservancy district managers Division of Water Resources representative Reservoir company representatives Stampede parade member City and county governments representatives from throughout valley DOW representative Rio Grande Basin Roundtable member Education connection - curriculum developer/teacher Colorado Foundation for Water Education CWCB, CSU, Colorado Water Congress, IDCC Some possible events: Speaker forum at Monte Vista school auditorium or Carson auditorium, Adams State College Picnic at Monte Vista city park (back-up at Ski-Hi) and/or banquet in Alamosa Unveiling of traveling exhibit of dam construction - SL V Information and Education Center I st showing of video documenting dam construction - SL V Information and Education Center Poetry contest (?Justice Hobbs as judge?) Art exhibit of relevant painting, sculpture, photography, textiles - Alamosa Tour of reservoirs Valley-wide float contest for parade celebrations Invited people: Governor Colorado State Engineer Senator Ken Salazar and Congressional Representative Director of DNR Supreme Court Justice Greg Hobbs; water expert, poet Valley representatives and senators in State Legislature Attorney's Bill Paddock and David Robbins Daniel Tyler, historian, author of Silver Fox of the Rockies Director of Colorado Water Conservation Board Hydrologists, dam engineers, historians, professors............ Goals on back ~