WSP04735

• File Number: 8220.105.LJ
• Description: Navajo Reservoir
• State: NM
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Date: 6/12/1975
• Title: Statement on the Operation of the San Juan-Chama Project-Colorado New Mexico - and the Related Impacts in the San Juan River Basin - By S.E. Reynolds - New Mexico State Engineer
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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On March 26, 1964 the purposes of the project were modified

by PL 88-293 which authorized the Secretary of the Interior to

make available from the San Juan-Chama Project approximately

50,000 acre-feet of water for the initial filling of a permanent
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pool in the Corps of Engineers Cochiti Reservoir and thereafter

sufficient water annually to offset evaporation from the permanent

_, pool. The purposes of the project were further modified on

October 27, 1974 by Title XIV of PL 93-493 which authorized the

Secret?ry of the Interior to permit releases of San Juan-Chama

-Project water from Heron Reservoir to provide 50,000 acre-feet

for a recreation pool in Elephant Butte Reservoir and to deliver

to Elephant Butte Reservoir up to 6,000 acre-feet of water

annually for a period not exceeding ten years from establishment

of the recreation pool to replace loss by evaporation. This

authority is limited to the use of wa~er not required for any

other authorized use including the filling and maintenance of

the recreation pool in Cochiti Reservoir.

The principal engineering works of the project authorized

include diversion dams and conduits, storage and regulation

facilities at the Heron Reservoir site, the enlarged outlet

works of the existing El Va do Dam and water use facilities con-

sisting of resirvoirs, dams, canals, lateral and drainage systems,

and associated works and appurtenances.

Section 8 of PL 87-483 carefully prescribes conditions

under which the Secretary of the Interior must operate the pro-

ject. The Act requires that the diversion facilities of the

initial stage be so constructed and operated as to divert only

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