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. GENERAL INFORMATION . Rio Grande Reservoir is located in Hinsdale County, about 20 miles southwest of Creede in southwestern Colorado. Figure 1 shows the general location of the reservoir. The reservoir is on the Rio Grande at an elevation of about 9400 feet on the eastern side of the Continental Divide. The drainage basin includes 162 square miles. The site is described as Township 40 North, Range 4 West, Section 13, New Mexico Principal Meridian. The latitude and longitude are North 37"43', West 107" 16'. Rio Grande Reservoir is the only main stem reservoir on the Rio Grande in Colorado. The location of the reservoir in relation to the river basin is shown on Figure 3. Rio Grande Reservoir is filled from the inflow of the Rio Grande main stem and several tributaries including Trail Creek, Ute Creek, and Weminuche Creek. The reservoir, owned by the San Luis Valley Irrigation District, is surrounded by Rio Grande National Forest. Several national forest campgrounds are located near the reservoir. The Weminuche Wilderness is located about one-half mile to the south. The San Luis Valley Irrigation District operates Rio Grande Reservoir and the Farmers Union Canal, located about 70 miles down- stream. High flows resulting from spring snowmelt are stored in the reservoir and released as needed for irrigation under the canal. Some water is also stored in the reservoir by agreement with the State Engineer of Colorado and the water users of the Rio Grande for the purpose of aiding Colorado's deliveries to Texas and New Mexico under the Rio Grande Compact. Flow at the headwaters of the Rio Grande varies tremendously from season to season. The average June flow is about 830 cfs while the February flow is about 30 cfs. There are no reservoirs above Rio Grande Reservoir to control the natural flow of the river. . -11-