San Luis Valley Irrigation District!

Rio Grande Reservoir Multi-Use Enlargement

The Rio Grande Reservoir Multi-Use Enlargement Study, funded by the Colorado Water Conservation Board will determine the physical and legal feasibility of enlarging the Rio Grande Reservoir.

1. An enlarged Rio Grande Reservoir may provide better utilization of Colorado's water supply as recommended in the Statewide Water Supply Initiative (SWSI).

2. SWSI recognizaes that the enlargement of the existing Reservoir and the regulation of existing water supplies may be effective in assuring the optimal use of presently developed water suppplies.

The study areas are as follows:

1. Storage and re-regulation of water to meet Colorado's Compact obligations and optimize Colorado's use of its share of the Rio Grande.

2. Storage of transmountain water to meet increasing domestic and commercial water demand throughout the Rio Grande Basin, thereby miniizing the need to dry-up additional agricultural lands.

3. Storage of high flow water for supplementation or augmentation of groundwater supply.

4. Re-regulation of flows and releases from the Reservoir to better address recreational needs.

5. Conservation pool.

6. Storage of additional water under the direct flow storage decrees.

7. Evaporation.

8. Storage for release for winter fish flows.

9. Outlet works.

10. Spillway enlargement.

Important PDFs

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1. Rio Grande Reservoir Multi-Use Enlargement Study and Grant Application Details

2. Rio Grande Reservoir Location Map (courtesy Helton & Williamsen, P.C.)

3. Rio Grande Basin above Del Norte (courtesy Helton & Williamsen, P.C.)