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002640 CESPK-CO-R Page 3 Public Notice Number 200375243 2, Long Hollow Reservoir would be located downstream of two groundwater, fed, typically perennial streams in which the water easily can be captured, 3. The locatIOn is only 4 miles from the Colorado, New Mexico state line, Releases from this reservoir to satisfy the Compact would be to a perennial reach of the La Plata River, and losses to the stream would be low, especially compared to the current delivery system. 4. The location provides for more effective administration of the La Plata River Compact and improved irrigation scheduling for irrigators on Red Mesa in Colorado and in New Mexico. 5, It would allow Colorado to store water during non-Compact times (i.e. December 1st - February 15th) The natural stream conditions of the La Plata River, coupled with the delivery requirement of the Compact, currently create an untenable water rights administration situation. The purpose of the construction of the proposed Long Hollow Reservoir would alleviate many of the administrative problems associated with the Compact, Projf"ct A. rp;] Of'"criptiol1 The project area is located within the La Plata River Basin. The La Plata River originates high in the La Plata Mountains. The river is fed mainly by runoff of winter snow pack in the La Plata Mountains. The river leaves Its canyon 4 miles north of Hesperus near the town of Mayday and runs through the ponderosa pine zone down to near Breen. The vegetation south of Breen IS predominantly pinyon-juniper and sage on the mesas and riparian communities of cottonwoods and willows along the water sources. The proposed reservoir would be built in a basin that is characterized by broad, nearly level glacial outwash terraces that rise above the La Plata River valley. Elevations withm the project area range from 6,300 to 6,620 feet msl. Long Hollow is a relatively deep valley witli steep canyon walls that have eroded approximately 130 feet below Red Mesa. Government Draw has topography similar to Long Hollow, but has narrower, lower terraces. The dam site consists of a third terrace level, which forms a broad, nearly level upland that extends well beyond the valley rim, Both reservoir anns have steep valley sides that stand above the 100 to 300,foot-wide valley floors, Long Hollow and Governmental Draw are perennial streams sustained by irrigation return nows from Red Mesa, Groundwater recharge to the Red Mesa Aquifer is derived primarily from infiltration of irrigation water and from precipitation In Red Mesa, No regional groundwater system supplies this area. The Red Mesa Aquifer is a closed system, affected only by surface water infiltration from irrigation and precipitation patterns. The project site IS in a semi-arid environmental. No seeps or springs exist within the reservoir footprint. The site has been historically used for livestock grazing. Approximately 2.5 acres of emergent wetlands were delineated in May 2003, Most of the wetlands within the project area are located in narrow strips along the Long Hollow and Govenunent Draw drainages. 1Il1p:1C'r" to \V~rf'r" oflhp l'~ The proposed project would directly impact a total of 18,560 linear feet (3.52 miles) of perennial channel and 2,180 LF of ephemeral drainage. The locations of the proposed impacts are shown on Figures 3-12. The reservoir could cause additional indirect and cumulative impacts, such as promoting erosion downstream and creating a precedence for possible future reservoirs.