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<br />O(J.~O[;3 <br /> <br />Febr~ry of this year. <br /> <br />Studies made ~lnee February indicate that the m3Ximum development of <br />the ~1ater resources of the Conejos River permissible under the terms of the <br />Bio Grande Coopaet can be accomplished at the least cost by the construc- <br />tion of tw reservoirs as contemplated under the original authorized plan <br />8S presented in n.D. 693, 76th Congress. Bowever, under present-day priees, <br />it does not appear econo~lcally justifiable to construct the two reser- <br />voirs at this tl~e. The Bureau of Reclamation, therefore, proposes stage <br />development, i.e., building the Platoro Dam and Reservoir now and conBtr~cting <br />the second dam and reservoir When the need for additional storage becomes <br />apparent. The Platoro Reservoir can be constructed. under the original <br />authorization 'ttlich provides that the ...-ater users viII reimburse the Govern - <br />ment for 60 percent of the cost; the remaining ~ percent being allocated <br />to flood control. The Platoro Reservoir would provide sufficient storage <br />and regulation for present-dfl.Y needl! with only infrequent shortages in the <br />ideal demand. Work to be accomplished on the first stage development prior <br />to initiation of construction inc~es the pre~aration of deaien and speci- <br />fications for Platoro Dem, the acquisition of rights-of-way and contract <br />negotiations. It in expected that this work can be completed by the ~er <br />of 1948, providing the contract nogotiations for repayment under provisions <br />of Reclamation Law are consu.mmated. <br /> <br />The cost of the work done on the ConejoB Division to date is $343,903. <br /> <br />II. Closed Basin Division of the San Luis Valley Project. <br /> <br />Beginning about 1915 various individuals and agencies endeavored. <br />to determine the feasibility of constructing an open drain Bome 43 miles in <br />length extending from Saguache Creek to the Rio Grande. The main purpose <br />of the drain \~S to have been to augment the flov of the Rio Gr.ande by means <br />of drainage return from the Closed Basin and hence permit an equal amount of <br />Rio Grande water to be used in the San Iuis Valley. All past studies have <br />been inconclusive and at wide variance. <br /> <br />During October 1945. representatives of the >>ureau of Reclamation, the <br />Geological Survey and the ColoradO Watt>r Conservation :Boe.rd :net to evolve a <br />cooperative program of investigations to prove or disprove the feasibility <br />of suCh a drain. The ~Tograo of investigations thus evolved and the commit- <br />ments of the various participating agencies for carr.1ing out the progrp~ <br />were agreed to October 10. 1945. <br /> <br />Current yOrk involves the completion of the GeologiCl'.l Survey studies <br />of the quantity and qualit7 of water to be recovered. the preparation of <br />preliMinarJ designs and cost estimates. and the co~letion of the report. <br />Co;;roletion of the PrelimiuI7 Closed Basin Dre.in Report in the Region.e.l office <br />is -scheduled for February 1, 1948, end. p.dditiona! time would be re:rclred. for <br />reviev end p08Eible revision before ~ch a report would. be ready for further <br />action. <br /> <br />2 <br />