Articles
Promises were broken on state-funded Rio Grande dam project, river advocates say
An introduction to the issues and various players with an interest in Rio Grande water.
A dam upgrade left one Colorado section of the Rio Grande dry in the winter. What will it take for water to flow again?
A superb article by Elise Schmelzer that provides the latest information on efforts to find a solution to the lack of healthy flows on the Rio Grande.
Commentary: Anglers in Colorado Were Sold a Bill of Goods
This article is an excellent summary of the problem. (errata: "Kevin Smith" of Trout Unlimited should be "Kevin Terry" in paragraph 15)
Rio Grande dam operator, in hot water with locals, asks state for more cash
An update to the Sun article of 9/13/124, documenting a SLVID request for over $100,000 from the CWCB to conduct preliminary design work for a valve that would permit winter flows from the Rio Grande Reservoir.
Studies and Plans
This document was produced by the Rio Grande Basin Roundtable, and includes its goals, projects, and strategic vision for the Upper Rio Grande basin.
This document was produced by the Rio Grande Basin Roundtable, and includes valuable background information on the history, water administration and environmental issues of the Upper Rio Grande basin.
This plan was produced for the Rio Grande Basin Roundtable, the multi-agency, multi-stakeholder group that met for years to discuss the health of the Upper Rio Grande basin.
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Many helpful recommendations are proposed on a segment-by-segment basis. The segment below Rio Grande Reservoir (pages 104-108) was rated a C for aquatic life, and minimum winter flows of 31 CFS were recommended. Present winter flows in this section are usually less than 2 CFS.
Letters and Bulletins
This document was produced by the Colorado Water Conservation Board to summarize the Rio Grande Reservoir Rehabilitation Project. It specifically mentions its"multiple benefits through coordination of the Reservoir’s releases to enhance the environment; provide recreational flows;..."
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This letter confirms the $15 million loan approval to the San Luis Valley Irrigation District to complete the upgrade to the Rio Grande Reservoir Dam. It specifically mentions this this will "provide operational efficiencies and improve stream health."
Videos
This video was produced by the Colorado Water Conservation Board and Colorado Parks and Wildlife to highlight the many benefits of the cooperative project to agriculture, wildlife, and the health of the Rio Grande. One goal was to "keep water in the river when it needs to be in the river."