PROJ00452

• Contract/PO #: FS0029X
• Contractor Name: Trinidad Project USBR 1964
• Contract Type: Miscellaneous
• Water District: 0
• County: Las Animas
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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PART V

OPERATING PRINCIPLES AND CRITERIA

INTRODUCTI01'l

The Trinidad Project encompasses the functions of irrigation,
flood control, fish and wildlife, and recreation. Operating'
principles have been drafted which will govern the operations of
the project, They are composed of two parts, both of which are
appended to this report:

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(a) The Operating Principles, Trinidad Dam and
Reservoir Project

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(b) Purgatoire River Water Conservancy District
Operating Criteria

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The operating principles for the dam and reservoir define the
oDjectives of the plan and provide for the operation of the reservoir
capacity allocations in accordance with existing laws, compacts, and
agreements. The operating criteria for the district provide detailed
criteria for the administration of project irrigation water within
the district,

The dam and reservoir operating principles have been reviewed
and tentatively approved by the agencies most directly concerned:
the Corps of Engineers, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and
the Purgatoire River Conservancy District, In addition the
operating principles are receiving attention from agencies which
are concerned that their water rights are not impaired, including:
the Arkansas River Compact Administration, the Southeastern Colorado
Water Conservancy District, and the Arkansas Valley Ditch Association,

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FLOOD CONTROL OPERATION

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With respect to flood control, the operating principles provide
for the Purgatoire River flows to be stored as required to limit the
flows below Trinidad Dam to the currently estimated nondamaging flow
of 5,000 c.f,s, Release of the water stored to effect flood control
is to be done as soon as practical and in such a manner as not to
interfere with the exercise of the downstream water rights.

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