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j:. 3558 Interior authority to proceed with..the_p-rbject., On November 16, 1979, the flnal Definite Plan Report was approved and the authorizing act was amended by Public Law 96-375 on October 3, 1980. The secretary approved construction in OCtober of 1980. Construction of the project started in 1981. The schedule adopted contemplated constructing the project in stages beginning with the wells, laterals and conveyance channel nearest the Rio Grande. Project Configuration . '. , The Closed Basin project is a water salvage project that will pump water which normally is lost through evapotranspiration from the unconfined aquifer. This is accomplished through a series of wells pumping water into pipeline laterals connected to a conveyance channel which conveys the, water to the Rio Grande. The wells are arranged in a field configuration to maximize yield and minimize the number of laterals necessary for conveying the water to the conveyance, channel. The channel portion is unique in that it is totally lined with PVC. In addition, the entire system will be operated using a programmable master supervisory control system. ~~ Salvage Wells The 170 water salvage wells that have been constructed constitute the core of the Closed Basin Division. These wells are all completed in the unconfined aquifer and range from about 85 feet to 110 feet in depth. As the authorizing legislation prOhibited penetrating the confining "Blue Clay" layer that forms the upper boundary of the artesian aquifer, much care was given to determining the depth of the wells. The wells constructed under the first contracts were physically logged to determine the maximum depths. Later contracts included the drilling of pilot wells. Gamma- ray and resistivity logs were made of, these pilot wells and analysis made it posslble ,to determine well depths, length of screen, and depth of surface casings ,befor,e _construction_oLthe_sal vage--wells Completion of the salvage wells is accomplished under the contracts for construction of the pipe laterals. This includes cutting off about the top 7 feet of the well and constructing a concrete well vault set into the ground. These vaults which measure approximately 7 x 11 ft. and are 7 feet deep contain the mechanical and electrical components that are required to provide power and controls to the SUbmersible pumps and motors, valves, and other i'lssociated equipment.