WSP06093

• File Number: 8543.200
• Description: Projects in the Closed Basin
• State: CO
• Basin: Rio Grande
• Water Division: 3
• Date: 3/1/1989
• Title: Closed Basin Division Operating Criteria
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

INTRODUCTION

The Closed Basin Division is located in south-central Colorado in Alamosa and

Saguache Counties. It is named from a topographic basin in the northern portion

of the San Luis Valley which is the uppermost part of the great valley of the

Rio Grande. The San Juan Mountains form the west boundary of the San Luis

Valley, the Sangre de Cristo Range forms the east boundary, and the intersec-

tion of these two highlands forms the north boundary. The San Luis Hills form

the south boundary of the San Luis Valley.

The large portion of San Luis Valley northeast of Alamosa and Monte Vista which

does not drain into the Rio Grande is termed the Closed Basin. The Closed Basin

has an internal drainage area of 2,940 square miles and is separated at the

southern end from the Rio Grande mainstem by a hydrologic divide. Several

creeks and Rio Grande irrigation diversions drain into the Closed Basin. While

separated from the Rio Grande by the hydraulic divide, the Closed Basin waters

are nonetheless tributary waters under the laws of the State of Colorado and

have been duly appropriated for the Project by the Rio Grande Water Conservation

District (RGWCD).

1. PURPOSES AND PLAN OF CLOSED BASIN DIVISION, SAN LUIS VALLEY PROJECT

The purposes of the project as defined in the authorizing legislation, as

amended, and the Definite Plan Report dated November 1979 are as follows.

The primary purpose of the project is to deliver water to the Rio Grande to

assist the State of Colorado in meeting its commitments for water deliveries to

the States of New Mexico and Texas under the Rio Grande Compact of 1939 and to

assist the United States in meeting its commitments to Mexico under the

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