WSP05248

• File Number: 8507
• Description: Rio Grande Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Rio Grande
• Date: 1/1/1935
• Title: Resume of the Problem Concerning the Rio Grande Above Fort Quitman/ Texas
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

~

"'
:~.;

E. B. Debler, Hydraulic Engineer for the U. S. Bureau of

Reclamation, prepared a report on the water requirements of the lands

under the Elephant Butte Reservoir and the operation of the same. Mr.

Debler assumed an annual demand, excluding evaporation, of 787,000 acre

feet per annum, and assumed that, if during operation of the reservoir,

the stage of the reservoir fell below 1,500,000 acre feet, the draft

could and should be cut to 700,000 acre feet until the stage of the

reservoir increased to 1,500,000 acre feet. The results of Mr. Debler's

studies are not concurred in, since it is believed that an annual draft

less than 787,000 acre feet would be sufficient to take care of the

requirements of the lands under the reservoir, plus the Mexico burden,

as demonstrated by the draft of approximately 700,000 acre feet in the

year 1929, immediately following the signing of the temporary Compact.

J~. Debler also assumed an evaporation loss equivalent to the total

recorded evaporation at the reservoir without making any correction for

precipitation, a portion of ~~ich would take care of same of the indi_

oated evaporation. It, therefore, is felt that the monthly indicated

contents of the reservoir, as arrived at by 1~. Debler, are too lmv,

assuming efficient operation and efficient use of the water on the lands

under the project.

However, assuming that Mr. Debler's values were correct,

r~
~ .

r,.~
,~Q

it is believed Table No.6 indicates that the proposed reservoir develop-

ment in the San Luis Valley would not materially affect the water supply

of the Elephant Butte Reservoir. Assuming no additional drainage develop_

ment in the San Luis Valley, the shortage under the Elephant Butte Reser-

-21_