WSP07734

• File Number: 8549.700
• Description: San Luis Lakes
• State: CO
• Basin: Rio Grande
• Water Division: 3
• Date: 1/1/1989
• Author: Colorado Division of
• Title: San Luis Lakes Wildlife and Recreation Development and Operation Plan
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Hr~ 15,89 15:43 No.009 P.06/1

The climate is chsraderized by cold winter" and moderate

summers. Average daily summer temperatul<es are in the upper eighties.

The higbest recorded tempel'sture is 92 degrees F. The avemS'e daily
winter temperatures are in the low thirties and the record low

temperature is -54 degrees F. The average annual precipit",ti,on is less

than ten inches, 80 percent of wh,ich ffllls between April and October.

The growing season averages IOQ days, although freezing temperatures

can occur at any time.

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The predominant vegetation in the San Luis Lakes area is black

greasewood and rabbitbrush. The associated grass cover is saltgrsss,

Juncus, carex, and saltgrass dominate the vegetation communUr in low

lying areas which are periodically inundated.

The area is a very productive area for waterfowl and nongame

birds. Numerous other species use the area in varing degrees. A list

of species found on the area is found in Appencix II. San Luis Lake
currently supports a trout fishery.
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The San Luis Lake State Wildlife Area is divided into two Qnits.

The northern un1t win be developed for wildlIfe and the southern unit
for both wildlife and recreation. The boundary between the two units,
runs westerly from the southeast corner of the NW 1(4, NW 1(4 of
section 2~ to the southwest corner of the NE 1(4, NW 1(4 of section 26,
T40N, RIlE; NMPM. Location Of proposed developments in both units sre

illustrated in Figure 4.
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DPOIl will administer the southern un! t as a year-round fee-use

area. The unit will contain a DrOll entrance station for fee collection

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