WSPC02842

• File Number: 8541
• Description: Rio Grand Basin-Rio Grand River Basin Water Projects-San Luis Valley Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Rio Grande
• Water Division: 3
• Date: 6/1/1940
• Author: RJ Tipton
• Title: Rio Grande Basin-Colorado-San Luis Valley-Status of the San Luis Valley Project
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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On Graph "C" are depioted conil.itions that would obtain if
the Closed Basin Drain were oonstruoted and yielded various
amounts from 10,000 to 60,000 acre-feet per annum.

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If the Closed Basin Drain were not construoted, Wagon Wheel
Gap Reservoir still would be of considerable value during
suoh a oritioal period as 1925 to 1940. A reservoir with a
oapacity of 800,000 aore-feet and Weminuohe Pass Trans-
mountain Diversion, without further acoretions to the river
through drains, would permit average annual divereions of
about 635,000 aore-feet between Del Norte and Alamosa for
such a period as 1925 to 1940. This is about 85,000 acre-
feet,more than was actually diverted each year during that
period. Further, the diversions could be made parallel
with the irrigation requirements, which would be of ex-
treme value. Atter the hold-over storll8e was depleted and
in the absEl/Jce ot the Closed Basin Drain, the annual yield
from the project as described would average about 27,000
acre-feet until such tUne as Elephant Butte Reservoir spilled.

The Bureau of Reolamation in its report reoognized the
value of the sump drain and made thiS statement:

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"Construction cannot be recanmended on the
basis of present iaformation but the
possibility of usefulness of this feature
is sufficient to justify the inclusion of
an item of $500,000 in the authorization
of the project, for the construction of
a Closed Basin Drain, with construotion
to be contingent upon

"

"(a) A conclusive finding of Justification
for the drain on the basis of cost and the
quaatity and quality of water to be secured.

" (b) Adequate arrangements for maintenance
of the drain."

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FollOWing the release of that report on April 10, we
requested the U. S. Geological Survey in Washington to
make an estimate of the cost of a study to determine the
quantity and quality of water which will be recovered by
the drain. On May 3, Dr. Collins, who is head of the
Division on Quality of Water, made a field reconnaissance
to assist in making suoh an estimate. Dr. Theis and
Mr. White of the Ground Water Division are to visit the
area in the near future to IIlake an estimate of the cost
of an investigation to detormine the probable yield of
the drau,..

Personally, I am satisfied that the quality of the water
recovered by the drain win be slltisfactory if the drain is
looated four or five mile", west of the "sump" area proper

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