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, Rio Grande Convention of 1906. The project authorization also provided for: (1) deliveries of water to the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and the Blanca Wildlife Habitat Area (WHA), (2) establishment of Russell Lakes Waterfowl Management Area (WMA), (3) stabilization of the water level of San Luis Lake at about 890 surface acres, (4) development of recreational facil- ities at San Luis Lake, and (5) fish and wildlife enhancement. Water provided by the project will be pumped from an unconfined ground water aquifer in the Closed Basin and delivered by a conveyance channel to the Rio Grande. The project was developed in stages. Water production information from each stage has been used to help determine the effects on both the unconfined and confined aquifers, establish a datum for pre-project boundary conditions, and update the yield projections. The project has a decreed maximum capacity of 117,000 acre-feet annually. The Definite Plan Report estimated about 100,600 acre-feet per year as the pumped yield. Of this amount, approximately 5,500 acre-feet will be lost through evapotranspiration and maintenance, and the remaining 95,100 acre-feet is projected to be available for delivery annually for project purposes. 2. PROJECT WATER RIGHTS A. District Water Rights The RGWCD obtained a conditional decree in Case No. W-3038, from the Colorado Water Court, for the Closed Basin Project, granting to it the right to wi thdraw 117,000 acre-feet of water per year from the Closed Basi n wi th an appropriation date of July 31, 1963, and a decree date of April 21, 1980. Since that time, RGWCD Ilas sought and obtained quadrennial findings of reasonable diligence with regard to the decree and has made a portion thereof absolute, all as required by Colorado law. By resolution of the Board of Directors of RGWCD 3 r ... ...... 1,. .- , "' '.,' '"", ~"" j,...; v