DOCSLIB.ORG

Designation of Critical Habitat for the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow; Proposed Rule

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Designation of Critical Habitat for the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow; Proposed Rule Thursday, June 6, 2002 Part IV Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow; Proposed Rule VerDate May<23>2002 18:22 Jun 05, 2002 Jkt 197001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4717 Sfmt 4717 E:\FR\FM\06JNP3.SGM pfrm17 PsN: 06JNP3 39206 Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 109 / Thursday, June 6, 2002 / Proposed Rules DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ADDRESSES: 1. Send your comments on fishes in the Rio Grande Basin, this proposed rule, the draft economic occurring from Espan˜ ola, NM, to the Fish and Wildlife Service analysis, and draft EIS to the New Gulf of Mexico (Bestgen and Platania Mexico Ecological Services Field Office, 1991). It was also found in the Pecos 50 CFR Part 17 2105 Osuna Road NE, Albuquerque, River, a major tributary of the Rio RIN 1018–AH91 NM, 87113. Written comments may also Grande, from Santa Rosa, NM, be sent by facsimile to (505) 346–2542 downstream to its confluence with the Endangered and Threatened Wildlife or through the Internet to Rio Grande (Pflieger 1980). The silvery and Plants; Designation of Critical [email protected]. You may also minnow is completely extirpated from Habitat for the Rio Grande Silvery hand-deliver written comments to our the Pecos River and from the Rio Grande Minnow New Mexico Ecological Services Field downstream of Elephant Butte Reservoir Office, at the above address. You may and upstream of Cochiti Reservoir AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, obtain copies of the proposed rule, the (Bestgen and Platania 1991). The current Interior. draft economic analysis, or the draft EIS distribution of the silvery minnow is ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of from the above address or by calling limited to the Rio Grande between availability. 505/346–2525. All documents are also Cochiti Dam and Elephant Butte Reservoir. Throughout much of its SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and available from our website at http:// historic range, decline of the silvery Wildlife Service (Service), propose to ifw2es.fws.gov/Library/. minnow has been attributed to designate critical habitat for the Rio 2. Comments and materials received, modification of the flow regime Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus as well as supporting documentation (hydrological pattern of flows that vary amarus) (silvery minnow), a species used in the preparation of this proposed seasonally in magnitude and duration, federally listed as endangered under the rule, will be available for public depending on annual precipitation authority of the Endangered Species Act inspection, by appointment, during patterns such as runoff from snowmelt) of 1973, as amended (Act). The silvery normal business hours at the New and channel drying because of minnow presently occurs only in the Mexico Ecological Services Field Office impoundments, water diversion for Rio Grande from Cochiti Dam, Sandoval (see address above). agriculture, stream channelization, and County, downstream to the headwaters 3. We will hold public hearings in perhaps both interactions with non- of Elephant Butte Reservoir, Sierra Socorro, NM, on June 25, 2002; and in native fish and decreasing water quality County, New Mexico. We propose to Albuquerque, NM, on June 26, 2002 at (Cook et al. 1992; Bestgen and Platania designate critical habitat within this last the following locations: 1991, Service 1999; Buhl 2001). remaining portion of the occupied range • Socorro, NM: New Mexico Institute It is important to note that much of in the middle Rio Grande (Cochiti Dam for Mining and Technology, Macey Center, 801 Leroy Place, Socorro, New the species’ life history information to Elephant Butte Dam) in New Mexico. detailed below comes from studies The proposed critical habitat Mexico, on June 25, 2002, from 6 to 9 p.m. conducted within the middle Rio designation defines the lateral extent Grande, the current range of the (width) as those areas bounded by • Albuquerque, NM: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th Street NW, minnow. Nevertheless, we believe that existing levees or, in areas without our determinations for other areas levees, 91.4 meters (300 feet) of riparian Albuquerque, New Mexico, on June 26, 2002, from 6 to 9 p.m. outside of the middle Rio Grande, but zone adjacent to each side of the middle within the historical range of the silvery Rio Grande. We request data and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joy minnow, are consistent with the data comments from the public and all Nicholopoulos, Field Supervisor, New collected to date on the species’ interested parties on all aspects of this Mexico Ecological Services Field Office ecological requirements (e.g., Service proposed rule, including data on (see ADDRESSES above); phone: 505– 1999). economic and other relevant impacts of 346–2525. The role of the plains minnow the designation and the two areas that SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: (Hybognathus placitus) in the decline are not proposed as critical habitat. A Background and extirpation of the silvery minnow draft economic analysis, which from the Pecos River is uncertain; examines primarily economic impacts The Rio Grande silvery minnow is however, the establishment of the plains of this proposed rule, has been prepared one of seven species in the genus minnow coincided with the and is also available for review and Hybognathus found in the United States disappearance of the silvery minnow comments. This publication also (Pflieger 1980). The species was first (Bestgen and Platania 1991; Cook et al. provides notice of the availability of the described by Girard (1856) from 1992). It is believed the non-native draft economic analysis and the draft specimens taken from the Rio Grande plains minnow was introduced into the EIS for this proposed rule. We invite all near Fort Brown, Cameron County, TX. Pecos drainage prior to 1964 (Cook et al. interested parties to submit comments It is a stout silvery minnow with 1992), and was probably the result of on these draft documents and this moderately small eyes and a small, the release of ‘‘bait minnows’’ that were proposed rule. slightly oblique mouth. Adults may collected from the Arkansas River DATES: Comments. We will consider all reach 90 millimeters (mm) (3.5 inches drainage. It is unclear, however, if comments on the proposed rule, draft (in)) in total length (Sublette et al. 1990). populations of the native silvery economic analysis, and the draft EIS Its dorsal fin is distinctly pointed with minnow were depleted prior to the received from interested parties by the front of it located slightly closer to introduction of the plains minnow, or if September 4, 2002. the tip of the snout than to the base of the reduction and extirpation of the Public Hearings. We will also hold the tail. The fish is silver with emerald silvery minnow was a consequence of two public hearings to receive reflections. Its belly is silvery white, fins the interactions of the two species (C. comments from the public. The public are plain, and barbels are absent Hoagstrom, U.S. Fish and Wildlife hearings will be held in Socorro and (Sublette et al. 1990). Service, pers. comm. 2001). One theory Albuquerque, New Mexico, on June 25 This species was historically one of is that the plains minnow may be more and 26, respectively. the most abundant and widespread tolerant of modified habitats and, VerDate May<23>2002 18:22 Jun 05, 2002 Jkt 197001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\06JNP3.SGM pfrm17 PsN: 06JNP3 Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 109 / Thursday, June 6, 2002 / Proposed Rules 39207 therefore, was able to replace the silvery apparently collected in the late 1950s water) (59 FR 36988; Dudley and minnow in the degraded reaches of the (Trevino-Robinson 1959; Hubbs et al. Platania 2001). Pecos River. Nevertheless, the plains 1977; Edwards and Contreras-Balderas The various life history stages of the minnow has experienced population 1991). silvery minnow require shallow waters declines within its native range from Decline of the species in the middle with a sandy and silty substrate that is highly variable water levels, unstable Rio Grande probably began in 1916 generally associated with a meandering streambeds, and fluctuating water when the gates at Elephant Butte Dam river that includes sidebars, oxbows, temperatures (Cross et al. 1985 cited in were closed. Construction of the dam and backwaters (C. Hoagstrom, pers. Taylor and Miller 1990). Although the signaled the beginning of an era of comm, 2001; Bestgen and Platania 1991; interactions (e.g., hybridization or mainstem Rio Grande dam construction Platania 1991). However, physical competition) between the silvery that resulted in five major mainstem modifications to the Rio Grande over the minnow and the introduced plains dams within the silvery minnow’s last century—including the construction minnow are believed by some to be one historic range (Shupe and Williams of dams, levees, and channelization of of the primary causes for the extirpation 1988). These dams allowed the mainstem—have altered much of the of the silvery minnow in the Pecos manipulation and diversion of the flow habitat that is necessary for the species River, this hypothesis is unsubstantiated of the river. Often this manipulation to persist (Service 1999). Channelization (Hatch et al. 1985; Bestgen et al. 1989; severely altered the flow regime and has straightened and shortened Cook et al. 1992). Currently, New likely precipitated the decline of the mainstem river reaches; increased the Mexico State University is conducting silvery minnow (Bestgen and Platania velocity of the current; and altered research on the plains minnow and 1991). Concurrent with construction of riparian vegetation, instream cover, and silvery minnow to determine if the two the mainstem dams was an increase in substrate composition (U.S.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • July 31, 2019 Chair Karen Dunning Vice
    July 31, 2019 Chair Karen Dunning Vice- Chair Joaquin Baca Mike A. Hamman, PE CEO and Chief Engineer 1 2 EL VADO DAM On the Rio Chama - For water storage COCHITI DAM ANGOSTURA Diversion Weir ISLETA Diversion Weir SAN ACACIA Diversion Weir Bosque del Apache Refuge 3 MRGCD Priorities Meet irrigation demands while improving system efficiencies to prepare for shortages Keep Ag lands in production through use of water banking and protecting water rights Operate to minimize debt under the RG Compact. Comply with 2016 BiOp to provide ESA coverage to MRGCD and other water users in the Rio Grande basin. Perform numerous capital improvements including repairing El Vado Dam and constructing engineered levees in the urbanizing areas. Improve and expand inter-governmental partnerships to develop joint projects and leverage funding. 4 2012 to 2018 Hydrology Five of seven years were below average to much below average annual flows at the Otowi gage. 2018 was the lowest runoff since 1956. Rio Grande basin has been in Article VII storage restrictions for most of this period so the District stored allocated relinquishment credit water @El Vado Dam. District exhausted all San Juan-Chama supplies in 2018. San Juan-Chama Project shortages occurred in 2014 - 2018. The District released from El Vado in the fall to Elephant Butte in recent years to reduce potential NM RG Compact debits. 5 Upper Rio Grande Snowpack 2016 -19 6 2019 Water Operations Flows at Otowi gage are on target to exceed 1.5 M a-f making this the third highest runoff season on record.
    [Show full text]
  • Deposition and Chemistry of Bottom Sediments in Cochiti Lake, North-Central New Mexico
    DEPOSITION AND CHEMISTRY OF BOTTOM SEDIMENTS IN COCHITI LAKE, NORTH-CENTRAL NEW MEXICO U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4258 Prepared in cooperation with the PUEBLO DE COCHITI DEPOSITION AND CHEMISTRY OF BOTTOM SEDIMENTS IN COCHITI LAKE, NORTH-CENTRAL NEW MEXICO By Jennifer T. Wilson and Peter C. Van Metre U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4258 Prepared in cooperation with the PUEBLO DE COCHITI Albuquerque, New Mexico 2000 CONTENTS Page Abstract.................................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Purpose and scope ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 Methods ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Quality control............................................................................................................................................................. 3 Deposition of bottom sediment.............................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The History of the Rio Grande Compact of 1938
    The Rio Grande Compact: Douglas R. Littlefield received his bache- Its the Law! lors degree from Brown University, a masters degree from the University of Maryland and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1987. His doc- toral dissertation was entitled, Interstate The History of the Water Conflicts, Compromises, and Com- Rio Grande pacts: The Rio Grande, 1880-1938. Doug Compact heads Littlefield Historical Research in of 1938 Oakland, California. He is a research histo- rian and consultant for many projects throughout the nation. Currently he also is providing consulting services to the U.S. Department of Justice, Salt River Project in Arizona, Nebraska Department of Water Resources, and the City of Las Cruces. From 1984-1986, Doug consulted for the Legal Counsel, New Mexico Office of the State Engineer, on the history of Rio Grande water rights and interstate apportionment disputes between New Mexico and Texas for use in El Paso v. Reynolds. account for its extraordinary irrelevancy, Boyd charged, by concluding that it was written by a The History of the congenital idiot, borrowed for such purpose from the nearest asylum for the insane. Rio Grande Compact Boyds remarks may have been intemperate, but nevertheless, they amply illustrate how heated of 1938 the struggle for the rivers water supplies had become even as early as the turn of the century. And Boyds outrage stemmed only from battles Good morning. I thought Id start this off on over water on the limited reach of the Rio Grande an upbeat note with the following historical extending just from southern New Mexicos commentary: Mesilla Valley to areas further downstream near Mentally and morally depraved.
    [Show full text]
  • Index of Surface-Water Records to December 31, 1963 Part 8.-Western Gulf of Mexico Basins
    Index of Surface-Water Records to December 31, 1963 Part 8.-Western Gulf of Mexico Basins GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 508 ,. Index of Surface-Water Records to December 31, 1 963 Part B.-Western Gulf of Mexico Basins By H. P. Eisenhuth Geological Survey Circular 508 Washington 1965 United States Department of the Interior STEW ART L. UDALL, SBCRETARY Geological Survey THOMAS B. NOLAN, DIRECTOR Free on application to the U.S. Geological Survey, Washington, D. C. 20242 Index of Surface-Water Records to December 31, 1963 Part 8.-Western Gulf of Mexico Basins By H. P. Eisenhuth INTRODUCTION This report lists the streamflow and reservoir stations in the Western Gulf of Mexico basins for which records have'been or are to be published in reports of the Geological Survey for periods through December 31, 1963. It supersedes Geological Survey Circular 388. Basic data on surface-water_ supply have been published in an annual series of water-supply papers consisting of several volumes, including one each for the States of Alaska and Hawaii. The area of the other 48 States is divided into 14 parts whose boundaries coincide with certain natural drainage lines. Prior to 1951, the records for the 48 States were published in 14 volumes, one for each of the parts. From 1951 to 1960, the records for the 48 States were published annually in 18 volumes, there being 2 volumes each for Parts 1, 2, 3, and 6. The boundaries of the various parts are shown on the map in figure 1. Beginning in 1961, the annual series of water-supply papers on surface-water supply was changed to a 5-year series.
    [Show full text]
  • Leasburg Diversion Dam Flows Along the Rio Grande River About a Mile and a Half Northwest of Fort Selden Historic Site
    H. Davis with the U.S. military was Explore History, Where It Happened surveying the area for use as a military Visit New Mexico Historic Sites and explore the state’s most important places. post. These seven historic sites and one historic property highlight the traditions and Today, the Diversion Dam is part of culture of New Mexico. It is an experience LEASBURG Leasburg Dam State Park, designated a you won’t forget. state park in 1971. DIVERSION DAM Help Preserve Fort Selden Help us preserve Fort Selden by becoming a site volunteer or by making a designated gift to the Museum of NM Foundation for the Fort’s preservation and interpretation. 100% of your gifts will be used to support Fort Selden. Become a Friend of Fort Selden Join other community members as we work to form a non-profit group to support the Fort. Call us for more information at 575-202-1638. The Leasburg Diversion Dam flows along the Rio Grande River about a mile and a half northwest of Fort Selden Historic Site. This diversion dam is vitally important to the region because water is one of New Mexico’s most important commodities. For thousands of years the Rio Grande has been a source of water for travelers, settlers, and livestock and provided water for crop irrigation. Fort Selden Historic Site However, the Rio Grande is an extremely powerful force of nature. It 1280 Ft. Selden Rd. Radium Springs, NM 88054 is a naturally moving river whose path changes on an almost yearly basis. Phone (575) 526-8911 Regional Office: (575) 202-1638 nmhistoricsites.org In the mid-19th century, settlers in the two flood controls in Picacho North and through to the Juarez Valley can have Upper Mesilla Valley were looking for Picacho South; and diversion dams access to water when needed.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Contaminants and Their Effects on Fish in the Rio Grande Basin
    Biomonitoring of Environmental Status and Trends (BEST) Program: Environmental Contaminants and their Effects on Fish in the Rio Grande Basin S# S# S# S# S#S#S# S#S#S#S# S# S# # S S# S# # S S# S# S# S# # S# S# S S# S# S# S# S# S# S# S# S# S# S# S# S# S# S# S# S# S# S# S# S# S# S# S# S# # S# S# # S S#S# S S# S# S# S# #S# S# S# S# S#S S# # S# SS# S# S# S#S# Scientific Investigations Report 2004—5108 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Front cover. The U.S. map shows the Rio Grande Basin (green) and stations sampled in this study (orange). Shown in gray are major river basins and stations in the conterminous U.S. sampled during other Biomonitoring of Environmental Status and Trends Program (BEST) investigations. Biomonitoring of Environmental Status and Trends (BEST) Program: Environmental Contaminants and their Effects on Fish in the Rio Grande Basin By Christopher J. Schmitt, Gail M. Dethloff, Jo Ellen Hinck, Timothy M. Bartish, Vicki S. Blazer, James J. Coyle, Nancy D. Denslow, and Donald E. Tillitt Scientific Investigations Report 2004—5108 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior Gale A. Norton, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Charles G. Groat, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2004 For more information about the USGS and its products: Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/ Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Sharing the Colorado River and the Rio Grande: Cooperation and Conflict with Mexico
    Sharing the Colorado River and the Rio Grande: Cooperation and Conflict with Mexico December 12, 2018 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R45430 {222A0E69-13A2-4985-84AE-73CC3DFF4D02}-R-065134085251065165027250227152136081055238021128244192097047169070027044111226189083158176100054014174027138098149076081229242065001223143228213208120077243222253018219014073197030033204036098221153115024066109133181160249027233236220178084 SUMMARY R45430 Sharing the Colorado River and the December 12, 2018 Rio Grande: Cooperation and Conflict with Nicole T. Carter Specialist in Natural Mexico Resources Policy The United States and Mexico share the waters of the Colorado River and the Rio Grande. A bilateral water treaty from 1944 (the 1944 Water Treaty) and other binational agreements guide Stephen P. Mulligan how the two governments share the flows of these rivers. The binational International Boundary Legislative Attorney and Water Commission (IBWC) administers these agreements. Since 1944, the IBWC has been the principal venue for addressing river-related disputes between the United States and Mexico. The 1944 Water Treaty authorizes the IBWC to develop rules and to issue proposed decisions, Charles V. Stern called minutes, regarding matters related to the treaty’s execution and interpretation. Specialist in Natural Resources Policy Water Delivery Requirements Established in Binational Agreements. The United States’ and Mexico’s water-delivery obligations derive from multiple treaty sources and vary depending on the body of water. Under the 1944 Water Treaty, the United States is required to provide Mexico with 1.5 million acre-feet (AF) of Colorado River water annually. The 1944 Water Treaty also addresses the nations’ respective rights to waters of the Rio Grande downstream of Fort Quitman, TX. It requires Mexico to deliver to the United States an annual minimum of 350,000 AF of water, measured in five-year cycles (i.e., 1.75 million AF over five years).
    [Show full text]
  • History of the Rio Grande Reservoirs in New Mexico: Legislation and Litigation
    University of New Mexico UNM Digital Repository Law of the Rio Chama The Utton Transboundary Resources Center 2007 History of the Rio Grande Reservoirs in New Mexico: Legislation and Litigation Susan Kelly UNM School of Law, Utton Center Iris Augusten Joshua Mann Lara Katz Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/uc_rio_chama Recommended Citation Kelly, Susan; Iris Augusten; Joshua Mann; and Lara Katz. "History of the Rio Grande Reservoirs in New Mexico: Legislation and Litigation." (2007). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/uc_rio_chama/28 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the The Utton Transboundary Resources Center at UNM Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Law of the Rio Chama by an authorized administrator of UNM Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]. SUSAN KELLY, IRIS AUGUSTEN, JOSHUA MANN & LARA KATZ* History of the Rio Grande Reservoirs in New Mexico: Legislation and Litigation" ABSTRACT Nearly all of the dams and reservoirson the Rio Grandeand its tributaries in New Mexico were constructed by the federal government and were therefore authorized by acts of Congress. These congressionalauthorizations determine what and how much water can be stored, the purposesfor which water can be stored, and when and how it must be released. Water may be storedfor a variety of purposes such as flood control, conservation storage (storing the natural flow of the river for later use, usually municipal or agricultural),power production, sediment controlfish and wildlife benefits, or recreation. The effect of reservoir operations derived from acts of Congress is to control and manage theflow of rivers.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Written Testimony Submitted to the United States Senate Committee On
    Written Testimony Submitted to the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on S. 1012 New Mexico Drought Preparedness Act of 2017 Respectfully Submitted By Mike A. Hamman, PE Chief Executive Officer Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District Rio Grande Water Development in New Mexico The Upper Rio Grande originates in the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. It bisects the San Luis Valley in Colorado and the entire state of New Mexico with this reach culminating at Fort Quitman, Texas. This portion of the Rio Grande is administered under the Rio Grande Compact by a federal appointee and three Commissioners from Colorado, New Mexico and Texas with support from the United States Geological Survey, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Army Corps of Engineers. The annual mean flow as measured at the Otowi gage in New Mexico is 1 million acre-feet with wide variation, ranging from 250,000 to 2.5 million acre-feet. Irrigated agriculture consists of approximately 600,000 acres in Colorado, 200,000 acres in New Mexico, 100,000 acres in Texas. Additionally, up to 60,000 acre-feet is delivered to lands within the Republic of Mexico via the Rio Grande Project under the 1906 Convention between the United States and Mexico. The predominate crop due to climate, water supplies and labor considerations is alfalfa. Other crops include potatoes, chilé, corn, fruit, onions and pecans. There is an improving ‘farm to table’ market serving a demand for locally produced agricultural products ranging from lettuces to melons as well as organically grown products particularly near and in municipalities.
    [Show full text]
  • Water, Natural Resources, and the Urban Landscape 42 Chapter Two
    CHAPTER TWO WATER: A LIMITING FACTOR D E C I S I O N - M A K E R S FIELD CONFERENCE 2009 The Albuquerque Region 40 CHAPTER TWO The diversion dam on the Rio Grande just south of the Alameda bridge. EISEY H DRIEL © A DECISION-MAKERS FIELD GUIDE 2009 WATER: A LIMITING FACTOR 41 Water Supply Limitations in the Albuquerque Area Deborah L. Hathaway, S. S. Papadopulos & Associates, Inc. ater: the limiting factor. Albuquerque residents This water supply is highly variable from year to year Wand their political leaders are familiar with but in part can be stored by the Middle Rio Grande this concept, as are urban planners and developers. Conservancy District (MRGCD) at El Vado Reservoir. Water is a high-profile hurdle that confronts urban Native surface water represented by upstream inflow at development and attracts uncountable legal and the Otowi gage (with adjustment for upstream storage engineering efforts. Legions of attorneys and engineers and imported water) is subject to apportionment under make careers of developing “innovative” schemes the Rio Grande Compact, which caps native surface to surmount the water supply hurdle, and although water inflow available for depletion in New Mexico. these may be time-consuming and expensive, seldom Native surface water comprises the bulk of water used does lack of water impede a strongly motivated and for agriculture in the Albuquerque area and is diverted well-financed development plan. “Finding water” often into MRGCD canals at Angostura. Further north and results in a water transfer, for example, a shift of water south within the Albuquerque Basin, water for irriga- from agricultural to urban uses.
    [Show full text]
  • 2. Action Area: Overview of Project Components and Water Operations 2.1 Action Area
    Joint Biological Assessment Part I – Water Management 2. Action Area: Overview of Project Components and Water Operations 2.1 Action Area The project area is the area where Reclamation’s and the non-Federal entities’ proposed actions occur, while the action area is defined as “all areas to be affected directly or indirectly by the Federal action and not merely the immediate area involved in the action” (50 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 402.02). For this BA, the project area and action area are considered to be the same. The action area for this consultation includes Heron Reservoir and Willow Creek downstream from Heron Dam, the Rio Chama downstream from the confluence with Willow Creek, and in the Rio Grande from the Velarde downstream to San Marcial above the full reservoir pool of Elephant Butte Reservoir (figure 1). The lateral extent of the action area generally is defined by the riverside drains and associated levees located to the east and west of the main stem of the river. In situations where levees do not exist on either or both sides, the lateral extents are confined by the historical flood plain (geological constraints, such as terraces and rock outcroppings or anthropogenic constraints, such as irrigation facilities). The river mile (RM) designations used in this document are those included in the 2002 controlled aerial photography. Caballo Dam is considered RM 0, and mile designations increase in an upstream direction. 2.2 Overview of Project Components This section provides background on the SJC Project and the MRG Project, which is necessary to identify the nature and limitations of both Reclamation’s discretionary actions and non-Federal actions.
    [Show full text]
  • Numerical Modeling of Isleta Diversion Dam Gate Operation Hydraulics to Minimize Sediment Effects
    NUMERICAL MODELING OF ISLETA DIVERSION DAM GATE OPERATION HYDRAULICS TO MINIMIZE SEDIMENT EFFECTS Drew C. Baird, Hydraulic Engineer, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, Colorado, [email protected]; Michael Sixta, Hydraulic Engineer, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, Colorado, [email protected]. INTRODUCTION Isleta Diversion Dam was constructed in 1934 by the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) as part of their irrigation system, and is located on the Rio Grande about 10 miles south of Albuquerque, New Mexico, immediately downstream from the Highway 147 Bridge (Figure 1). The diversion dam was rehabilitated by Reclamation in 1955 as part of the Middle Rio Grande Project, authorized by Congress in the 1948 and 1950 Flood Control Acts. The Middle Rio Grande (MRG) has long been recognized for its characteristics of high sediment loads and dynamic channel conditions (Happ, 1948; Lagasse, 1980; Makar, 2010). The Isleta Diversion Dam consists of 30 river gates, three headworks gates on the Peralta Main canal (east side), and four headworks gates on the Belen Highline canal (west side) of the dam (Figure 2). The headworks gates are located in a sluiceway with a downstream gate used to maintain a maximum diversion head. Gate operations are used to provide water to downstream irrigators, meet downstream flow requirements of the 2003 Endangered Species Biological Opinion (USFWS, 2003), and manage sediment. Within the context of these multiple water use needs, a one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) fixed bed hydraulic models, sluiceway hydraulics, and sediment incipient motion analysis has been completed to provide recommendations on gate operations that would help reduce sediment impacts.
    [Show full text]