WSP04263

• File Number: 8507
• Description: Rio Grande Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Rio Grande
• Date: 1/1/1957
• Title: Symposium on Problems of the Upper Rio Grande
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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the Chamita Dam and Reservolf have revealed that
the most practical and economical solution for con-
tfOlling floods and sediment odginating in the Rio
Chama Basin would be construction of a dam at the
Abiquiu site located ,about 25 miles above the
Chamita site, in combination with a low dam at the
Chamita site.
As a means of pfOviding additional water for the
Rio Grande Basin in New Mexico, the San Juan-
Chama PfOject is contemplated. This pwject would
divert 235,000 acre-feet of water annually from the
Upper San Juan River and tdbutades thfOugh the
Continental Divide Into the Rio Chaina Basin. Then,
in a reservoir on Willow Creek, it would be regulated
for use for supplemental irrigation and municipal
purposes. This project is part of the Upper Colmado
storage project, hearings on which have recently
been concluded in the Congress.
Also of importance is a future sediment control
program. Though the sediment contfOl dams of the
Middle Rio Grande PfOject have capacities sufficient
to prevent sediment encroachment upon capacities
allocated to other uses for a pedod of not less than
50 years, a more intensified watershed improvement

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pfOgram also must be accomplished or the valley
would again revert to its pre-project condition when
the reservoirs have served their useful life. Such a
program, which we feel necessary from a sediment
contfOl standpoint, would almost certainly have an
adverse effect on our water supply. Water salvage
measures of the project, and importation via the San
Juan-Chama Project are expected to make this water-
shed treatment possible.

The Bureau of Reclamation has enjoyed the finest
possible cooperation from the other State and Federal
agencies in its work on the pwject. We have dealt
with some 35 separate groups and all have given
fully of their time and great ability to further the
p1'oject. Our repayment contract with the Middle Rio
Grande Conservancy District has been worked out,
and the numerous dealings with the District have
been handled expeditiously thwugh Mr. Ball, its
Chief Engineer, and its capable Board of Directms.

In closing, I would like to extend an invitation to
any of you who can spare the time to visit our local
office, and to inspect any of the work which might
be of special interest to you.

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