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I,; 1 1 1'.- '. I~' I~ '. I';; .. f If I: I: I 1 1 I 1 :1 (I 1 3583 San .!:ui..S_L~k~s_C.9.lI1.E.l~x Head Lc:Jkt' and San Luj,<:> Lilk€:' art' located in Srage J of the project area, as seen hy the map on the following page. Thp San Luis Lake-Head Lake ar~a W3~ once a popular recreation spot for camping, fishing and boating unti.l about thl:' 196015. Saline conditions and irriga- tion diversions cBused the lakt> to stagnate. By 19b3 all thE" lake's minnows, trout, carp, and amphibians w~re dead. Since then saline buildups and fluctuating water levels have kept aquatic life at marginal limits. In orue-r to incrt::'8se the lake's surface area and fresh water supply, a turnout frQm the conveyance channel will run to the northeast side of San Luis Lake. The lake will be stabilized at a .urface area of about 890 acres using a flowthrough system. The recreation potential of the area wi~l b~ restored. Camping, sanitation facilities, and improved roads will be installed at tile San Luis-Head Lake Recreation ar~a. The facility's location, on a direct route to the heavily visited Great Sand Dunes National Monument, further enhances its recr~ational value. The Colvrado Division of Wildlife and the Fish and Wildlife Service's trout hatching and rearing facilities in the San Luis Valley area are presently inade- quate. This is due to limited water supplies of suitable quality and ql1antity. 'A new Colorado Division of Wildlife hatchery is planned for San Luis Lake. However, this will not be funded through the Project. The San Luis Lakes Complex is one of five major waterfowl concentrations in the San Luis Valley. It is an important area for migrating as ~ell as resident waterfowl. During most years, especially wet ones, the valley produces many thousands of waterfowl. Surplus irrigation waters (a primary source of water for wetlands within the project area) have been significantly reduced in recent pI years by more efficient water management. The increased water supply resulting from project developm~nt will encourage waterfowl nesting and production on an annual basis. Higher surface water l~vels will also be maintained during fall migrations when little or no water has been available. More ducks, pheasants, geese, and doves will be attracted to the area. ~I~m~s~-~o~t! ~i~t~ ~a!i~n~I_Wililif! ~e!u~e The Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is a 10,35B-acre wildlife management area which is managed primarily for waterfowl. The conveyance channel will discharge into the Rio Grande within the boundaries of the ANWR. The refoge will be provided with about 5,300 acro-feet of water per year to grow crops for waterfowl feeding and to provide additional wetlands. The water supply provides for acres of ponds, marshes) and irrigated hay me adows. -13-