WSP07436

• File Number: 8543.600
• Description: San Luis Valley Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Rio Grande
• Date: 6/1/1987
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: San Luis Valley Project - Colorado - Closed Basin Division - Design and Planning
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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3585

The addirinr. 1 irrigated ~r~i.n ~rop.:" will male:- ~hc' ~u' m,.H'c,' .1ttractive to
ducks, geese 1 sandhi 11 cranE"~, whooping crant>s, an:t ".;.1rious wading birds. Most
of the birds presently lJsing tIle ANWR ~re forc0,i to feed in private grain
fields. Addition,,' protection from human har;l"smeor or killing will be provided
to the birds if they do not have to leave the refuge to feed. An additional
benefit J which was not in the original plans J has be.en the conversion of borroW'
pits into open water a[~d5 for wildlife.

~l~.n~a_Wil~lif!:. .!!a~i!.a!. ~r~a_

The Blanca Wildlife Habitat Area (BWHA) is a 5,350-acre area managed by the
Bureau of Land Management for waterfowl and fishing, primarily of trout. The
conveyance channel will cross 1.3 miles of the eastern portion of the BWHA. The
effects of the conveyance channel will be mitigated with 1,107 acre-feet of
water per year. Of this amo~nt, 800 acre-feet will be diverted from the con-
veyance channel and 307 acre-feet will be obtained fJom transferred water
rights. The water will be delivered through wetland areas, and ten waterfowl
nesting islands placed at selected pond locations. As with the Alamosa-Monte
Vista National Wildlife Refuge, two open water areas, which weren't in the ori-
ginal plan. have been de~eloped from borrow pits used in construction.

~u~s!:.l.! ~a!:e~ ~a~eE.f~w.! !:!.a~az.e~e~t_AE.e.!

A total of 4,640 acres of wetlands in the Russell Lakes area will be developed,
maintained, and improved with management. About 1,900 acres of wetland habitat
now exist in the area. Wetland improvement will be accomplished by purchase of
about 3,120 acres of private land and the transfer of about 1,520 acres of
State administered land.

The waters necessary for the improvement and maintenance of existing wetlands
will be obtained as water rights appurtenant to land acquisition. No project
salvage water will be used. The Colorado Division of Wildlife will administer
the development.

The Russell Lakes area has been designated by the National Park Service as a
national natural landmark. It is an area of high altitude marshes and wetlands
and maintains a large variety of flora and fauna.

CONCLUSION

The Closed Basin Division will have beneficial effects on the San Luis Valley,
the State of Colorado, and the States of New Mexico and Texas. The United States
will be better able to meet its commitments for water delivery under the Rio
Grande Convention of 1906.

After Colorado has achieved a debt-free water status under the Rio Grande
Compact, there will be approximately 35,000 acre-feet of water for uSe annually
in Colorado. The San Luis Valley Project--Closed Basin Divis'on will salvage
for beneficial use one of the West's most precious resources--water.

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