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<br />Agenda Item 21 <br />Jnly 20-21,2004 Board Meeting <br />Page 3 on <br /> <br />During these periods when the measured stream flows at the Hesperus gauging station are <br />insufficient to allow one-half of the flow to reach the state line a "futile call" is declared by the State <br />Engineer and ditches in Colorado that are upstream of the dry reach of the river may divert water in- <br />priority for irrigation and other beneficial uses. Curtailment of these ditches during a futile call <br />would prevent crop irrigation while attempting to deliver water through the extended dry reach of <br />stream. This action would contradict a primary Compact purpose, to maximize the beneficial use of <br />water in an equitable manner. Long Hollow Reservoir would provide water, stored in-priority, to <br />improve Compact deliveries to New Mexico through a more efficient delivery system that <br />circumvents the dry reach of the La Plata River. This circumvention is achieved by increased use on <br />irrigated lands that are east ofthe La Plata River (Red Mesa) and thus increased return flows in Long <br />Hollow. The Long Hollow Reservoir would capture these return flows and improve not only <br />Compact operations but also Colorado water rights administration, while providing additional water <br />to existing irrigated lands. <br /> <br />In addition to the Long Hollow Reservoir feasibility study work early on was done to determine the <br />feasibility of enlarging the existing Red Mesa Ward Reservoir. The Red Mesa Ward is located on <br />the Hay Gulch tributary of the La Plata River. The results of this feasibility study were previously <br />reported. In short, while Red Mesa Ward would improve the situation as well, it does not provide <br />the benefits that Long Hollow Reservoir would largely due to its location. <br /> <br />Therefore, the LPWCD would like to proceed with Phase II of the Long Hollow Reservoir feasibility <br />study, which would gather the geotechnical data to make a better estimate of the feasibility of the <br />Long Hollow Reservoir Project and provide the final cost comparisons with the Red Mesa Ward <br />Project. <br /> <br />Recommendation <br /> <br />Staff is ofthe opinion that the Long Hollow Reservoir Project appears superior to the Red Mesa <br />Ward Project and that Phase II of the Long Hollow Reservoir feasibility study should be completed <br />in order to allow for a valid comparison between the two projects. <br /> <br />Attachment <br />Basin Map <br /> <br />Flood Protection. Water Project Planning and Financing. Stream and Lake Protection <br />Water Supply Protection. Conservation Planning <br />