WSPC04184

• File Number: 8541
• Description: San Luis Valley Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Rio Grande
• Water Division: 3
• Date: 7/22/1963
• Author: Leon W Hill
• Title: San Luis Valley Project Closed Basin Division - 1963-1965 - Plan of Development of Closed Basin Division, San Luis Valley Project, Colorado
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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of salvaged waters to the Rio Grande cannot be made. However, on the
basis of available data concerning historical streamflows, present
hydrologic conditions, and operation of the Compact. a period of at
least 35 years would be required; and continued annual delivery of
about 59.200 acre-feet of salvaged waters to the Rio Grande for compact
credit would be required to maintain colorado in a debit-free condi-
tion. In such event, pumping of ground waters could be reduced to
result in salvage of only the amount of waters required to maintain
Colorado in a debit-free status or additional uses of Rio Grande flows
in Colorado in the amounts surplus to compact requirements could be
initiated to mitigate water shortages which currently are experienced
in the San Luis valley or for potential new developments. If such
identifiable uses of salvaged waters in Colorado are undertaken,
arrangements should be made with the identifiable beneficiaries for
payment of appropriate portions of the costs of the Closed Basin water
salvage features.

The plan provides that the water salvage features would be
operated and maintained by the Bureau of Reclamation as a unit of the
San Luis valley Project.

The Mishak Lakes National Wildlife Refuge would be operated
and maintained at Federal expense under the provisions of the Migra-
tory Bird Conservation Act of February 18, 1929 (45 Stat. 1222). as
amended. Operation and maintenance of the recreational facilities
at San Luis Lake would be assumed by an appropriate local or State
entity at non-Federal expense.

The Federal construction cost, as estimated on the basis
of January 1963 prices, totals about $8,370,000. including $414,000
for the Mishak Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and $180,000 for basic
recreational facilities. These costs do not include any allowance for
rights-at-way for project purposes on lands owned by the State of Colo-
rado which will be furnished by Colorado as a contribution.

The annual operation, maintenance, and replacement costs
of the water salvage features, including measures incorporated for
improvement of fish habitat. are estimated on the basis of current
prices to average $186,000 annually.

The annual economic costs are estimated to average $448.300
for a lOa-year period of analysis.

The evaluated benefits are estimated to total $2,452,800
annually. The ratio of evaluated total annual benefits to estimated
Federal costs is 5.47 to 1.0.

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