DOCSLIB.ORG

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, American Southwest Ichthyological Researchers (And Others), Albuquerque, NM

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, American Southwest Ichthyological Researchers (And Others), Albuquerque, NM Calendar Year 2020 Report to the Rio Grande Compact Commission Interior Region 7: Upper Colorado Basin U.S. Department of the Interior March 2021 Mission Statements The Department of the Interior (DOI) conserves and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of the American people, provides scientific and other information about natural resources and natural hazards to address societal challenges and create opportunities for the American people, and honors the Nation’s trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities to help them prosper. The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. Calendar Year 2020 Report to the Rio Grande Compact Commission Prepared by Bureau of Reclamation, Albuquerque Area Office, Albuquerque, New Mexico For the Rio Grande Compact Commission: Colorado Kevin Rein New Mexico John D’Antonio Texas Patrick R. Gordon Federal Chairman Hal Simpson Cover Photo: Sunrise view downstream end of the Pilot Channel near Bosque del Apache, New Mexico facing downstream (credit: Tyler Mobraten, Geosystems Analysis) Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 San Luis Valley Project, Colorado ............................................................................................. 3 Conejos Division, Platoro Reservoir ........................................................................................................ 3 Platoro Dam Facility Review and Safety of Dams Program ................................................................ 3 Closed Basin Division ................................................................................................................................ 5 San Juan-Chama Project, Colorado – New Mexico .................................................................. 8 San Juan-Chama Project Accounting ....................................................................................................... 8 Heron Dam and Reservoir Operations ................................................................................................... 8 Pojoaque Tributary Unit – Nambé Falls Dam and Reservoir ............................................................ 13 2021 San Juan-Chama Project Outlook ................................................................................................. 15 Facility Review and Safety of Dams Program....................................................................................... 16 Middle Rio Grande Project, New Mexico ............................................................................... 17 El Vado Dam and Reservoir Operations .............................................................................................. 17 2021 Middle Rio Grande Project Outlook ............................................................................................ 20 Facility Review and Safety of Dams Program – El Vado Dam ......................................................... 20 Related Reservoir Operations ................................................................................................................. 21 MRG River Gage Operation and Maintenance .................................................................................... 24 River Maintenance .................................................................................................................................... 24 Delta Channel Maintenance with the State of New Mexico ............................................................... 36 Programmatic Water Operations and River Maintenance ESA Compliance ................................. 366 Other ESA-Related MRG Projects ........................................................................................................ 49 Rio Grande Project, New Mexico – Texas .............................................................................. 51 Rio Grande Project Operations .............................................................................................................. 53 Rio Grande Project Water Accounting .................................................................................................. 55 2021 Rio Grande Project Outlook ......................................................................................................... 57 RGP River Gage Operation and Maintenance ..................................................................................... 57 Facility Review and Safety of Dams Program....................................................................................... 58 Reservoir Vegetation Management ........................................................................................................ 58 ESA Compliance for Operating Agreement and Storage of SJ-C Water ......................................... 59 Active Rio Grande Project Litigation..................................................................................................... 59 Related Reclamation Programs ............................................................................................... 61 Native American Affairs Programs ........................................................................................................ 61 Isleta Settlement ........................................................................................................................................ 61 Indian Water Rights Settlements ............................................................................................................ 62 Hydrologic Models.................................................................................................................................... 63 Water Accounting Reports Projects ....................................................................................................... 66 Evapotranspiration (ET) Toolbox.......................................................................................................... 67 Aquatic Invasive Species- Zebra and Quagga Mussels ........................................................................ 68 WaterSMART Program ............................................................................................................................ 69 Science & Technology Program and Other Research Projects .......................................................... 75 List of Figures Figure 1: Map of Reclamation's Albuquerque Area Office Projects .......................................................... 2 Figure 2: Area Map of San Luis Valley Project ............................................................................................. 4 Figure 3: Area Map of the San Juan-Chama Project..................................................................................... 9 iii Figure 4: Area Map of the Middle Rio Grande Project .............................................................................. 18 Figure 5: Rio Grande Silvery Minnow estimated densities. ....................................................................... 41 Figure 6: Summary of Flycatcher nesting in the Middle Rio Grande from 1999 to 2019 .................... 44 Figure 7: Flycatcher nest variables, Caballo Dam to El Paso, 2013 to 2019 ........................................... 45 Figure 8: Flycatcher nest variables, Caballo Reservoir delta, 2013 to 2019 ............................................. 45 Figure 9: Area Map of the Rio Grande Project ........................................................................................... 52 List of Tables Table 1: CBD Deliveries 2015-2020 ............................................................................................................... 5 Table 2: San Luis Valley Project - CBD Water Accounting ........................................................................ 6 Table 3: SJ-C Diversions through Azotea Tunnel ...................................................................................... 10 Table 4: SJ-C Water 2020 Releases from Heron Reservoir ....................................................................... 11 Table 5: SJ-C Monthly Water Operations in Heron Reservoir ................................................................. 12 Table 6: SJ-C Water at Otowi ........................................................................................................................ 14 Table 7: SJ-C Monthly Water Operations at Nambé Falls Reservoir ...................................................... 15 Table 8: Reservoir Operation for El Vado Dam ......................................................................................... 19 Table 9: Reservoir Operations for Abiquiu Dam ....................................................................................... 22 Table 10: Reservoir Operations for Cochiti Dam ....................................................................................... 23 Table 11: 2020 Isleta Reach Outfall Deliveries ........................................................................................... 38 Table 12: Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Territories 2013-2020 ........................................................... 43 Table 13: Cuckoo Detections/Estimated Territories 2013- 2020 ...........................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 4-Year Work Plan by District for Fys 2015-2018
    4 Year Work Plan by District for FYs 2015 - 2018 Overview Section §201.998 of the Transportation code requires that a Department Work Program report be provided to the Legislature. Under this law, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) provides the following information within this report. Consistently-formatted work program for each of TxDOT's 25 districts based on Unified Transportation Program. Covers four-year period and contains all projects that the district proposes to implement during that period. Includes progress report on major transportation projects and other district projects. Per 43 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 16 Subchapter C rule §16.106, a major transportation project is the planning, engineering, right of way acquisition, expansion, improvement, addition, or contract maintenance, other than the routine or contracted routine maintenance, of a bridge, highway, toll road, or toll road system on the state highway system that fulfills or satisfies a particular need, concern, or strategy of the department in meeting the transportation goals established under §16.105 of this subchapter (relating to Unified Transportation Program (UTP)). A project may be designated by the department as a major transportation project if it meets one or more of the criteria specified below: 1) The project has a total estimated cost of $500 million or more. All costs associated with the project from the environmental phase through final construction, including adequate contingencies and reserves for all cost elements, will be included in computing the total estimated cost regardless of the source of funding. The costs will be expressed in year of expenditure dollars. 2) There is a high level of public or legislative interest in the project.
    [Show full text]
  • Filiberto Cortez, Bureau of Reclamation
    Lower Rio Grande Project Operating Agreement: Settlement of Litigation SURFACE WATER OPPORTUNITIES IN NEW MEXICO 2008 OCTOBER NEW MEXICO WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH INSTITUTE Filiberto (Bert) Cortez, a native of El Paso, Texas, attended Bel Air High school and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War era. While completing a B.S. in civil engineering at the University of Texas at El Paso, he began working for the Rio Grande Project, Bureau of Reclamation, and upon graduation worked as a staff engineer with the Project. Over the course of his career he has held various positions in the El Paso office, which include design engineer, hydraulic engineer, safety engineer, information resources coordinator, and planning engineer. Bert is now the manager of the El Paso office, which manages the water supplies for the Rio Grande Project. He is the principal Reclamation representative in various negotiations on water operations procedures, water rights adjudications, negotiation conversions of irrigation water to municipal and industrial water use, and resolution of environmental issues. Lower Rio Grande Project Operating Agreement: Settlement of Litigation Filiberto Cortez Bureau of Reclamation 10737 Gateway West, Suite 350 El Paso, TX 79935 I want to start off by thanking WRRI for inviting me dore Roosevelt recognized the flood/drought reality to speak at this conference. The people here are at the and supported the establishment of the U.S. Reclama- top of the water industry and I appreciate being includ- tion Services. As somebody mentioned earlier, we were ed with them. I was looking forward to the conference originally part of the Geological Services, so we come because I was going to be last on the agenda and I was from the same agency but were separated out.
    [Show full text]
  • Nm Report 4-2-13.Indd
    New Mexico TIM PALMER Rio Chama. Cover: Rio Grande. Letter from the President ivers are the great treasury of noted scientists and other experts reviewed the survey design, and biological diversity in the western state-specifi c experts reviewed the results for each state. RUnited States. As evidence mounts The result is a state-by-state list of more than 250 of the West’s that climate is changing even faster than we outstanding streams, some protected, some still vulnerable. The feared, it becomes essential that we create Great Rivers of the West is a new type of inventory to serve the sanctuaries on our best, most natural rivers modern needs of river conservation—a list that Western Rivers that will harbor viable populations of at-risk Conservancy can use to strategically inform its work. species—not only charismatic species like salmon, but a broad range of aquatic and This is one of 11 state chapters in the report. Also available are a terrestrial species. summary of the entire report, as well as the full report text. That is what we do at Western Rivers Conservancy. We buy land With the right tools in hand, Western Rivers Conservancy is to create sanctuaries along the most outstanding rivers in the West seizing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to acquire and protect – places where fi sh, wildlife and people can fl ourish. precious streamside lands on some of America’s fi nest rivers. With a talented team in place, combining more than 150 years This is a time when investment in conservation can yield huge of land acquisition experience and offi ces in Oregon, Colorado, dividends for the future.
    [Show full text]
  • 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]
  • Guide to MS042 International Boundary and Water Commission Records
    University of Texas at El Paso ScholarWorks@UTEP Finding Aids Special Collections Department 12-9-1975 Guide to MS042 International Boundary and Water Commission records Raymond Daguerre Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.utep.edu/finding_aid This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Special Collections Department at ScholarWorks@UTEP. It has been accepted for inclusion in Finding Aids by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UTEP. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Guide to MS042 International Boundary and Water Commission records Span dates, 1850 – 1997 Bulk dates, 1953 – 1974 3 feet, 5 inches (linear) Processed by Raymond P. Daguerre December 9, 1975 Donated by Joseph Friedkin, International Boundary and Water Commission. Citation: International Boundary and Water Commission, 1975, MS042, C.L. Sonnichsen Special Collections Department. The University of Texas at El Paso Library. C.L. Sonnichsen Special Collections Department University of Texas at El Paso IBWC Biography or Historical Sketch Established in 1889, the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) has responsibility for applying the boundary and water treaties between the United States and Mexico and settling differences that may arise in their application. The IBWC is an international body composed of the United States Section and the Mexican Section, each headed by an Engineer-Commissioner appointed by his/her respective president. Each Section is administered independently of the other. The United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) is a federal government agency and is headquartered in El Paso, Texas. The IBWC operates under the foreign policy guidance of the Department of State.
    [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]
  • El Vado Reservoir 2007 Sedimentation Survey
    El Vado Reservoir 2007 Sedimentation Survey U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Technical Service Center Denver, Colorado July 2008 El Vado Reservoir 2007 Sedimentation Survey prepared by Ronald L. Ferrari U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Technical Service Center Water and Environmental Resources Division Sedimentation and River Hydraulics Group Denver, Colorado July 2008 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Bureau of Reclamation's (Reclamation) Sedimentation and River Hydraulics (Sedimentation) Group of the Technical Service Center (TSC) prepared and published this report. Ronald Ferrari of the Sedimentation Group and Sharon Nuanes of the Water Resources Planning and Operations Support Group of the TSC conducted the bathymetry survey of the reservoir in June of 2007. Anthony Vigil of Reclamation’s Albuquerque Area Office of the Upper Colorado Region was the study coordinator with additional field support provided by Chama Field Division personnel. Ron Ferrari completed the data processing to generate the new reservoir topography and resulting area-capacity tables. Kent Collins of the Sedimentation Group performed the technical peer review of this documentation. Mission Statements The mission of the Department of the Interior is to protect and provide access to our Nation’s natural and cultural heritage and honor our trust responsibilities to Indian Tribes and our commitments to island communities. The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. Reclamation Report This report was produced by the Bureau of Reclamation’s Sedimentation and River Hydraulics Group (Mail Code 86-68240), PO Box 25007, Denver, Colorado 80225-0007, www.usbr.gov/pmts/sediment/.
    [Show full text]
  • Index of Surface Water Stations in Texas
    1 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY I AUSTIN, TEXAS INDEX OF SURFACE WATER STATIONS IN TEXAS Operated by the Water Resources Division of the Geological Survey in cooperation with State and Federal Agencies Gaging Station 08065000. Trinity River near Oakwood , October 1970 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Geological Survey - Water Resources Division INDEX OF SURFACE WATER STATIONS IN TEXAS OCTOBER 1970 Copies of this report may be obtained from District Chief. Water Resources Division U.S. Geological Survey Federal Building Austin. Texas 78701 1970 CONTENTS Page Introduction ............................... ................•.......•...•..... Location of offices .........................................•..•.......... Description of stations................................................... 2 Definition of tenns........... • . 2 ILLUSTRATIONS Location of active gaging stations in Texas, October 1970 .•.•.•.••..•••••..•.. 1n pocket TABLES Table 1. Streamflow, quality, and reservoir-content stations •.•.•... ~........ 3 2. Low-fla.o~ partial-record stations.................................... 18 3. Crest-stage partial-record stations................................. 22 4. Miscellaneous sites................................................. 27 5. Tide-level stations........................ ........................ 28 ii INDEX OF SURFACE WATER STATIONS IN TEXAS OCTOBER 1970 The U.S. Geological Survey's investigations of the water resources of Texas are con­ ducted in cooperation with the Texas Water Development
    [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]
  • Upper Rio Grande Water Operations FWCA Report
    Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Report for the Upper Rio Grande Water Operations Review and Environmental Impact Statement Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas Submitted to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Albuquerque, New Mexico U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Albuquerque, New Mexico New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission Albuquerque, New Mexico Prepared by: John C. Branstetter U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office 2105 Osuna Road NE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113 August 2006 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................1 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT AREA .......................................................................................3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ..........................................................................................................7 I-3...............................................................................................................................................9 I-2...............................................................................................................................................9 I-1...............................................................................................................................................9 E-3..............................................................................................................................................9 D-3 ...........................................................................................................................................10
    [Show full text]
  • Challenges and Opportunities for Water of the Rio Grande
    Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, 43,3(August 2011):367–378 Ó 2011 Southern Agricultural Economics Association Challenges and Opportunities for Water of the Rio Grande M. Edward Rister, Allen W. Sturdivant, Ronald D. Lacewell, and Ari M. Michelsen The Rio Grande has headwaters in Colorado, flows through New Mexico, and serves as the United States.–Mexico border in Texas, emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. Snow melt in Colorado and northern New Mexico constitutes the water river supply for New Mexico and the El Paso region, whereas summer monsoonal flow from the Rio Conchos in Mexico and tributaries, including the Pecos River, provides the Rio Grande flow for southern Texas. The region is mostly semiarid with frequent long-term drought periods but is also characterized by a substantial irrigated agriculture sector and a rapidly growing population. International treaties and interstate compacts provide the rules for allocation of Rio Grande waters between the United States and Mexico and among Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. Water rights in Texas have been adjudicated, but the adjudication process was based on a wet period; hence, contemporary Rio Grande water rights are overallocated. Issues related to the waters of the Rio Grande include: frequent drought, increased municipal demand caused by a rapidly increasing population, supply variability, underdeliveries from Mexico, increasing salinity, inefficient delivery systems, health issues of the population, no economic/financial incentives for farmers to conserve, and water is not typically priced for efficiency. Stakeholders are interested in identifying solutions to limited water supplies while there is increasing demand. There are several activities in place addressing Rio Grande-related water needs, including enhancing delivery distribution efficiency of raw water, conversion of rights from agriculture to urban, improving both agricultural irrigation field distribution and urban use efficiency, developments in desalination, and litigation.
    [Show full text]