<br />1::'.~;';": ,:~,\':Jo,,>,J.:d..!','<~"'. ~ ',. -~' .~' ,",,,._,,-,,,,, -"".-',;-,,,,;_':.'.,,,;<-,..~ ~,.-'..,,,:;.. '.. ~.. ,
<br />
<br />r-
<br />)
<br />-.n 15
<br />
<br />
<br />.'
<br />
<br />,-.....
<br />....,.-'
<br />(Ii,;;;
<br />
<br />Abiauiu Dam Emergencv Gate Reoairs
<br />
<br />Corps representatives reported that repair work to correct defective installation ofthe
<br />emergency gates at Abiquiu dam started November I, 2000 and was completed February 17,
<br />2001. Testing of the gates is scheduled for March 2001.
<br />
<br />Rio Grande Proiect Storage Proiections
<br />Reclamation presented projections of reservoir operations for Elephant Butte and
<br />Caballo Reservoirs based on February I, 2001 snowmelt runoff forecasts for March-July
<br />2001. The projections indicate that Elephant Butte Reservoir storage would be drawn down to
<br />approximately 900,000 acre-feet by the fall of 2001, assuming average conditions for the
<br />remainder of the winter. This level of Elephant Butte Reservoir storage would be the lowest
<br />since 1983. Approximately 300,000 acre-feet of this storage is accrued credit of New Mexico
<br />and Colorado. Reclamation stated that if2001 and 2002 streamflow conditions are normal that
<br />the 2002 irrigation allotment from Project Storage would be less than a full allotment for the
<br />first time in more than two decades.
<br />
<br />"~_'~" ,,~,,:.,~,_,.i.. ..:,JJi~_
<br />
<br />
<br />~~~A..l'- ....~-t-:c.. "~,'
<br />Ei~~~;t~~i.~i~,:~i::~~ :
<br />:...:_ .,,:,)t~~",.~~F,;r,'1
<br />
<br />E1eohant Butte Pilot Channel
<br />Maintaining an active river channel from San Marcial through the sediment delta to
<br />Elephant Butte Reservoir is crucial to New Mexico's ability to make Compact deliveries, The
<br />Engineer Advisers recommended and the Commission approved a resolution in 2000
<br />requesting Reclamation to continuously extend and maintain a pilot channel through this reach
<br />as the reservoir recedes. Reclamation commenced this project in the fall of 2000 completed
<br />about 4,000 linear feet of the channel just prior to the Engineer Advisers meeting.
<br />Reclamation committed to the Engineer Advisers that its channel excavation through the
<br />sediment delta would be sufficient to connect the river channel to the active reservoir pool for
<br />200 I spring runoff. Reclamation stated its work would be sufficient because Elephant Butte
<br />Reservoir extends farther upstream than was anticipated and the river channel retains its
<br />definition farther downstream. The total anticipated channel project length to be completed
<br />
<br />.."..1'......1
<br />.:;}1.~ ~ :.f ~~.~.~7;/:~y~'t... : ~
<br />
|