DOCSLIB.ORG

The Middle Rio Grande: Its Ecology and Management

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Middle Rio Grande: Its Ecology and Management This file was created by scanning the printed publication. Errors identified by the software have been corrected; however, some errors may remain. The Middle Rio Grande: Its ecology and management Jeffery C. Whitney’ Abstract.-The Middle Rio Grande (MRG) riparian forest, or “bosque”, repre- sents the largest cottonwood gallery riparian forest in the southwestern United States. This reach of the Rio Grande extends from Cochiti Dam downstream 260 Km to San Marcial, New Mexico. It constitutes 8% of the river’s total length and 34% of if its length in New Mexico. The valley traverses three major biotic communities, as defined by Brown and Lowe (1980). The MRG reach can be subdivided into 4 reaches which coincide roughly with the 4 geologic basins or “grabens” along this portion of the Rio Grande Rift. This system has been affected by man’s activities throughout prehistoric and modern eras. The Rio Grande is regulated for water supply (primarily irriga- tion) and flood control. The effects of this interaction have contributed to the character of the riparian ecosystem in its current expressron. Over 40% of New Mexico’s population lives within the MRG reach. This paper will discuss the climate, geology, hydrology, subsequent river mOrphOlOgy, and anthropo- genie factors which contribute to the past and current expressions of the riparian habitat associated with the Middle Rio Grande. INTRODUCTION changed Rio Grande ecosystems by altering flood cycles, channel geomorphology, upslope processes, The Rio Grande is one of the longest rivers in and water quality and quantity. Such abiotic North America (1900 miles). The Rio originates in changes have influenced the biological diversity the southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado, flows and ecological functions of the MRG, altering the the whole length of New Mexico and forms the distribution, structure, and composition of riparian entire border between the state of Texas and the plant and animal communities. Republic of Mexico (fig. 1). The Rio is the greatest The Rio Grande basin above El Paso, Texas, is source of permanent water in the desert southwest one of the oldest regions of agriculture in the other than the Colorado River. It is home to the United States. Agricultural activity extends back largest cottonwood forest in North America, centuries to prehistoric inhabitants of the Rio locally referred to as the “Bosque”. Grande valley (fig. 2.) and includes the seven- Human populations have increased dramatically teenth and eighteenth century Pueblo Indians and along the Rio Grande since European settlement. Spanish colonists, and European-Americans in the Human use of water for irrigation and consump- latter part of the nineteenth century (Wozniak tion, and human use of land for agriculture, urban 1987). More recent history of the region involves centers, livestock grazing and recreation have disputes and concerns over management, irriga- tion, and distribution and delivery of upstream waters to downstream users in an attempt at fair l Middle Rio Grande Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, NM. sharing between concerned parties. Because of the 4 long history of agricultural activity, Rio Grande Colorado. Above Velarde the drainage basin area water is tied to public laws governing its convey- is about 27,325 sq. km., including the Closed Basin. ance, storage, and use. The close connection be- The Rio Chama, one of the most important tribu- tween legislation and flow of water through the taries in the study area, has its headwaters in the Rio Grande is largely responsible for the present Jemez, Conejos, and San Juan Mountains of New physical state of the river, floodplain, and associ- Mexico and Colorado. The MRG extends from ated riparian community. Changes in the flood- Cochiti Dam downstream 260 river km (160 mi) to plain ecology probably began shortly after human San Marcia1 (fig. 3). The MRG constitutes 8% df the settlement in the region, and change has continued River’s total length and 34% of its length in New relatively unabated with increasing population. Mexico. The middle valley’s direct drainage ac- (Bullard and Wells 1992). counts for 7% of the total Rio Grande drainage and about half of New Mexico’s direct tributary drainage. LOCATION PHYSIOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY The MRG is part of the larger Rio Grande fluvial system (fig. 1). The Rio Grande headwaters lie Hydrologic characteristics of the Rio Grande along the Continental Divide at elevations ranging Basin, such as infiltration, runoff, and sediment from 2,440 m to 3,660 m in the San Juan Mountains discharge, are dependent on the geology, geomor- of southern Colorado. The entire area of the Rio phic evolution of tributary basins and late Tertiary Grande drainage basin is about 470,000 sq. km of and Quaternary geologic and climatic history. which about 230,OO sq. km. are in the United States Structural geology (such as faults and folds) of a and the remainder in Mexico (Hunt, 1974). The region governs spatial and geometric relations of river flows south from Colorado through the rock units in that region. Geologic structures and length of New Mexico and then forms the interna- lithology influence the development of topographic tional boundary between Texas and the Republic features, river and tributary position, and landscape of Mexico. The drainage basin area above Elephant evolution. Tectonic activity can produce measur- Butte is about 76,275 sq. km., including 7,615 sq. able effects on channel and sediment transport km. in the Closed Basin of the San Luis Valley in characteristics (Ouchi 1983, 1985; Schumm 1986). Figure 1. Middle Rio Grande study area (from Bullard and Wells, 1992). 5 3 b 8 C G P t a 154016001700 1800165018801896 1925 1960 1970 1980 1990 YEAR Figure 2. Historical account of acres of land under cultivation in the Middle Rio Grande Valley (acres/ 2.47zhectares) (From Crawford et al, 1993). The location of the Rio Grande is controlled by the dominant geologic structure of the region, the Rio Grande Rift. The Rio Grande Rift is a linear topographic feature that separates the Great Plains Figure 3. Setting and institutional boundaries in the from the Colorado Plateau (Hawley 1978) moun- Middle Rio Grande (from Crawford et al, 1993). tain ranges, which can influence weather patterns, are a direct result of geologic processes. The rift, which in turn influence infiltration and runoff, active for at least 18 million years (Wilkins 19861, is landscape stability, soil development, and sedi- characterized by extension, seismicity, local tec- ment supply. Soil development is important tonic uplift, and volcanism (Loainski et al. 1991). because natural, progressive changes in physical The location of early trade routes was influenced properties of soils occurring through time alter the by the spatial arrangement of mountain ranges nature of the land surface, including vegetation that were natural barriers to travelers. Indigenous communities, infiltration (decreases with increas- populations and early settlers in the region sought ing age), erosion, and runoff and discharge. areas of suitable climate, access, and availability of water. Thus, the presence of the Rio Grande Rift has influenced human settlement patterns in the PHYSIOGRAPHIC REGIONS region. The extent and type of bedrock can influence The Rio Grande basin lies in five physiographic infiltration and runoff characteristics. These factors provinces: the Coastal Plain, the Great Plains, the can dramatically influence tributary basin evolu- Basin and Range, the Colorado Plateau, and the tion, discharge characteristics, main stem flow, and Southern Rocky Mountains (Hunt 1974). The MRG main stem evolution and integration (Leopold et and its tributaries are located within the latter al. 1964; Schumm 1977; Richards 1982; Kelson 1986; three provinces. From about Santa Fe southward, Wells et al. 1987, Bullard and Wells 1992). Bedrock the rift is in the Basin and Range Physiographic type influences vegetation types and densities, Province which separates the Colorado Plateau 6 Province to the west from the Great plains Prov- mid-October, lasting on average 160 days. In ince to the east. (Crawford et al. 1993). Socorro, the average period is 197 days, beginning The MRG valley is actually a series of basins. in Mid-May and lasting through late October. These grabens (depressions) formed a series of The Rio Grande drainage basin is located in a . linked, but slightly offset, depositional basins, each transitional climatic zone between the Gulf of of which contained its own ephemeral lake. Over Mexico and the Pacific rainfall provinces. Complex time, the surface water eroded canyons between meteorological conditions exist in this region, and the intervening bedrock sills that defined the these conditions are further complicated by the basins, integrating the area into the Rio Grande orographic influence of surrounding mountain river system (Bullard and Wells 1992). The ranges and global circulation patterns. through-flowing ancestral Rio Grande drainage The MRG basin has an arid to semiarid climate developed into a single river about 5 million years typical of the southwestern United States. The ago (Lozinski et al. 1991). The basins in the Middle climate is characterized by abundant sunshine, low Rio Grande are: relative humidity, light precipitation, and wide diurnal temperature fluctuations. The average l Santo Domingo Basin annual precipitation varies from 178 MM (7 in.) to l White Rock Canyon to San Felipe 380 mm (15.25 in.) over two-thirds of the basin and may exceed 635 mm (25 in.) only in the high l Albuquerque Basin mountain areas. Winters are generally dry, and 0 San Felipe to Isleta snow rarely remains on the ground at low eleva- tions for more than 24 h. Snowfall in the high l Belen Basin mountains composes 30-75% of the total annual precipitation; in the remainder of the basin snow- l Isleta to San Acacia fall composes less than 25% of the annual precipi- l Socorro Basin tation.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Hydraulic Modeling Analysis of the Middle Rio Grande River from Cochiti Dam to Galisteo Creek, New Mexico
    THESIS HYDRAULIC MODELING ANALYSIS OF THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE RIVER FROM COCHITI DAM TO GALISTEO CREEK, NEW MEXICO Submitted by Susan J. Novak Department of Civil Engineering In partial fulfillment of the requirements For the degree of Master of Science Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado Spring 2006 COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY October 24, 2005 WE HEREBY RECOMMEND THAT THE THESIS PREPARED UNDER OUR SUPERVISION BY SUSAN JOY NOVAK ENTITLED HYDRAULIC MODELING ANALYSIS OF THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE RIVER FROM COCHITI DAM TO GALISTEO CREEK, NEW MEXICO BE ACCEPTED AS FULFILLING IN PART REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE. Committee on Graduate Work ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ Adviser ______________________________________________ Department Head ii AB ST R A CT O F TH E SI S HYDRAULIC MODELING ANALYSIS OF THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE FROM COCHITI DAM TO GALISTEO CREEK, NEW MEXICO Sedimentation problems with the Middle Rio Grande have made it a subject of study for several decades for many government agencies involved in its management and maintenance. Since severe bed aggradation in the river began in the late 1800’s, causing severe flooding and destroying farmland, several programs have been developed to restore the river while maintaining water quantity and quality for use downstream. Channelization works, levees, and dams were built in the early 1900’s to reduce flooding, to control sediment concentrations in the river and to promote degradation of the bed. Cochiti Dam, which began operation in 1973, was constructed primarily for flood control and sediment detention. The implementation of these channel structures also had negative effects, including the deterioration of the critical habitats of some endangered species.
    [Show full text]
  • Rio Grande Compact Commission Records, MS406, C
    Guide to MS 406 Rio Grande Compact Commission records 1939-1968 3 linear feet Processed by Eva Ross, 2009 and edited by Claudia Rivers, 2012 Transferred to the UTEP Library by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission as part of the Texas Regional Historical Resources Depository Program. TSLAC accession number 1999/193 Citation: Rio Grande Compact Commission records, 1939-1968, MS406, 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 MS406 Historical Sketch: Formed as a result of the interstate compact signed by the states of Colorado, New Mexico and Texas in 1938 and approved by Congress, the Texas commission’s goal is to implement the compact by assuring the equitable apportioning of waters from the Rio Grande Basin. Past Commissioners include Frank B. Clayton, Julian P. Harrison, J. E. Quaid, Louis A. Scott, and Joe Hanson. Commissioner as of June, 2012 is Patrick Gordon. Arrangement: No series description has been determined. The files include rules and minutes, correspondence, project reports, water deliveries, Colorado debits, and stream gaging stations. Arrangement is roughly chronological within each grouping of folders. Scope and Content Notes: Contains correspondence, reports, tables, maps, and photographs that reflect the activities of the Texas office of the Rio Grande Compact Commission. Provenance Statement: Picked up by Special Collections staff from the Rio Grande Compact Commission office in El Paso at the request of Commissioner Joe Hanson in August 1999 from Tammy Beeman, his secretary. The official transfer reads “non-current files of historical interest” and was approved by Chris LaPlante, State Archivist.
    [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]
  • Historical Range of Variability and Current Landscape Condition Analysis: South Central Highlands Section, Southwestern Colorado & Northwestern New Mexico
    Historical Range of Variability and Current Landscape Condition Analysis: South Central Highlands Section, Southwestern Colorado & Northwestern New Mexico William H. Romme, M. Lisa Floyd, David Hanna with contributions by Elisabeth J. Bartlett, Michele Crist, Dan Green, Henri D. Grissino-Mayer, J. Page Lindsey, Kevin McGarigal, & Jeffery S.Redders Produced by the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute at Colorado State University, and Region 2 of the U.S. Forest Service May 12, 2009 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY … p 5 AUTHORS’ AFFILIATIONS … p 16 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS … p 16 CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION A. Objectives and Organization of This Report … p 17 B. Overview of Physical Geography and Vegetation … p 19 C. Climate Variability in Space and Time … p 21 1. Geographic Patterns in Climate 2. Long-Term Variability in Climate D. Reference Conditions: Concept and Application … p 25 1. Historical Range of Variability (HRV) Concept 2. The Reference Period for this Analysis 3. Human Residents and Influences during the Reference Period E. Overview of Integrated Ecosystem Management … p 30 F. Literature Cited … p 34 CHAPTER II. PONDEROSA PINE FORESTS A. Vegetation Structure and Composition … p 39 B. Reference Conditions … p 40 1. Reference Period Fire Regimes 2. Other agents of disturbance 3. Pre-1870 stand structures C. Legacies of Euro-American Settlement and Current Conditions … p 67 1. Logging (“High-Grading”) in the Late 1800s and Early 1900s 2. Excessive Livestock Grazing in the Late 1800s and Early 1900s 3. Fire Exclusion Since the Late 1800s 4. Interactions: Logging, Grazing, Fire, Climate, and the Forests of Today D. Summary … p 83 E. Literature Cited … p 84 CHAPTER III.
    [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]
  • Chapter 4: the Hydrologic System of the Middle Rio Grande Basin
    Chapter 4: The hydrologic system of the Middle Rio Grande Basin In discussions of the water resources of an area, the hydrologic system is commonly split into two components for convenience: surface water and ground water. However, in the Middle Rio Grande Basin, as in most other locales, the surface- and ground-water systems are intimately linked through a series of complex interactions. These interactions often make it difficult to recognize the boundary between the two systems. In The Rio Grande is the only river I ever this report, the surface- and ground-water systems are described separately, saw that needed irrigation. –attributed to though one of the goals of the report is to show that they are both parts of Will Rogers the hydrologic system of the Middle Rio Grande Basin and that changes in one often affect the other. As defined earlier, in this report “Middle Rio Grande Basin” refers to the geologic basin defined by the extent of deposits of Cenozoic age along the Rio Grande from about Cochiti Dam to about San Acacia. This definition includes nearly the entire ground-water basin; however, the extent of the surface-water basin is delimited topographically by drainage divides and is consequently somewhat larger than the ground-water basin. Surface-water system The most prominent hydrologic feature in the Middle Rio Grande Basin is the Rio Grande, which flows through the entire length of the basin, generally from north to south. The fifth longest river in the United States, its headwaters are in the mountains of southern Colorado. The Rio Grande is the largest river in New Mexico, with a drainage area of 14,900 square miles where it enters the Middle Rio Grande Basin.
    [Show full text]
  • Rio Grande Compact Commission Report
    3 RIO GRANDE COMPACT COMMISSION REPORT RIO GRANDE COMPACT The State of Colorado, the State of New Mexico, and the State of Texas, desiring to remove all causes of present and future controversy among these States and between citizens of one of these States and citizens of another State with respect to the use of the waters of the Rio Grande above Fort Quitman, Texas, and being moved by considerations of interstate comity, and for the purpose of effecting an equitable apportionment of such waters, have resolved to conclude a Compact for the attainment of these purposes, and to that end, through their respective Governors, have named as their respective Commissioners: For the State of Colorado M. C. Hinderlider For the State of New Mexico Thomas M. McClure For the State of Texas Frank B. Clayton who, after negotiations participated in by S. O. Harper, appointed by the President as the representative of the United States of America, have agreed upon the following articles, to- wit: ARTICLE I (a) The State of Colorado, the State of New Mexico, the State of Texas, and the United States of America, are hereinafter designated “Colorado,” “New Mexico,” “Texas,” and the “United States,” respectively. (b) “The Commission” means the agency created by this Compact for the administration thereof. (c) The term “Rio Grande Basin” means all of the territory drained by the Rio Grande and its tributaries in Colorado, in New Mexico, and in Texas above Fort Quitman, including the Closed Basin in Colorado. (d) The “Closed Basin” means that part of the Rio Grande Basin in Colorado where the streams drain into the San Luis Lakes and adjacent territory, and do not normally contribute to the flow of the Rio Grande.
    [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]
  • Rio Grande and Conejos Counties, Colorado Volume II: a Natural Heritage Inventory and Assessment of Wetlands and Riparian Areas in Rio Grande and Conejos Counties
    Biological Inventory of Rio Grande and Conejos Counties, Colorado Volume II: A Natural Heritage Inventory and Assessment of Wetlands and Riparian Areas in Rio Grande and Conejos Counties Colorado Natural Heritage Program College of Natural Resources, 254 General Services Building Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 Biological Inventory of Rio Grande and Conejos Counties, Colorado Volume II: A Natural Heritage Inventory and Assessment of Wetlands and Riparian Areas in Rio Grande and Conejos Counties Prepared for: Colorado Department of Natural Resources 1313 Sherman Street Room 718 Denver, Colorado 80203 Prepared by: Joe Rocchio, Denise Culver, Steve Kettler, and Robert Schorr March 2000 Colorado Natural Heritage Program College of Natural Resources 254 General Services Building Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 ii USER’S GUIDE The Biological Inventory of Rio Grande and Conejos Counties, conducted by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, consists of two essentially distinct projects that are highly integrated with respect to methodology and fieldwork. This report reflects the separate nature of the projects by being organized in a two-volume set. Both projects utilized the same Natural Heritage methodology that is used throughout North America, and both searched for and assessed the plants, animals, and plant communities on the Colorado Natural Heritage Program’s list of rare and imperiled elements of biodiversity. Each volume prioritizes potential conservation areas based on the relative significance of the biodiversity they support and the urgency for protection of the site. All information explaining Natural Heritage methodology and ranks is repeated in each volume, so that each volume can stand-alone and be used independently of the other.
    [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]
  • Rio Chama Flow Project Hough Short in Length, the Rio Chama Is Among the Most Regulated Tstretches of River in the West
    Improving River Management for People & Wildlife he Rio Chama is a river of both beauty and significance that rises in the San TJuan Mountains and flows 130 miles to its confluence with the Rio Grande. It runs through spruce and pine-clad slopes, colorful sandstone mesas and rich farming valleys. As the largest tributary in the upper Rio Grande basin, its flows have long supplied water to ancient pueblo people, traditional acequias and modern users, here and throughout the Rio Grande Valley. During the past century, the river became the subject of intensive water development. El Vado (1935), Abiquiu (1963) and Heron (1974) reservoirs captured the abundance of spring runoff to regulate water supplies throughout the year. Legal regimes have thus grown up to govern the division of the Chama’s water, transforming the river from dependency on local and natural forces to one whose flows now respond to a complex of distant administrative mandates. These institutions enforce the on-going alteration of the river’s basic, life-sustaining processes. river’s natural flow regime – its seasonality, Avolume and duration of its rise and fall over time – sustains native biodiversity and the integrity of aquatic and riparian ecosystems. Flow is the key serve to maintain today’s socio-economic benefits? process that supports a healthy river, enabling a river Could they fulfill some of the river’s unrealized to provide valuable services – clean water, flood potential, while also recovering a measure of its lost storage, groundwater recharge, abundant wildlife, values in the El Vado to Abiquiu reach? healthy riparian forests and recreation.
    [Show full text]
  • Calendar Year 2016 Report to the Rio Grande Compact Commission
    University of New Mexico UNM Digital Repository Law of the Rio Chama The Utton Transboundary Resources Center 2016 Calendar Year 2016 Report to the Rio Grande Compact Commission Dick Wolfe Colorado Tom Blaine New Mexico Patrick R. Gordon Texas Hal Simpson Federal Chairman Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/uc_rio_chama Recommended Citation Wolfe, Dick; Tom Blaine; Patrick R. Gordon; and Hal Simpson. "Calendar Year 2016 Report to the Rio Grande Compact Commission." (2016). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/uc_rio_chama/72 This Report 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]. Calendar Year 2016 Report to the Rio Grande Compact Commission Colorado New Mexico Texas Dick Wolfe Tom Blaine Patrick R. Gordon Federal Chairman Hal Simpson U. S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Albuquerque Area Office Albuquerque, New Mexico March 2017 MISSION STATEMENTS The Department of the Interior protects and manages the Nation's natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated 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. Cover photo – Overbank flow at habitat restoration site on the Sevilleta NWR during 2016 spring pulse (Dustin Armstrong, Reclamation) Calendar Year 2016 Report to the Rio Grande Compact Commission U.
    [Show full text]