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Bureau resumes filling Lake Nighthorse
Reservoir expected to be at maximum capacity in 2011
Herald Staff Writer
The reservoir is part of the Animas-La Plata Project to provide American Indian tribes and other entities with water.
Pumping began in May 2009 but stopped in July when the flow in the Animas River dropped to the minimum required to protect downstream fish habitat and satisfy landowner water rights.
Lake Nighthorse is currently about 20 percent filled. It can hold 120,000 acre feet. An acre foot is enough to cover a football field to a depth of 1 foot.
“We're just getting going again," Jim Gates, a geologist and technical service manager with the bureau, said Wednesday of the pumping. “We started pumping on March 5 and have continued sporadically since."
Until April 1, the flow in the Animas must be at least 125 cubic feet per second, Gates said. On April 1 when, theoretically at least, melting snow will increase the flow, there must be 225 cfs to satisfy downstream needs.
The Animas was flowing at 185 cfs in Durango on Wednesday.
Gates said the pumping station, on the west side of the Animas near Santa Rita Park, has been pumping a maximum of 42 cfs to the reservoir. The station has eight pumps - two each with capacity of 14, two each with a capacity of 28 cfs and four that each can move 56 cfs.
“We adjust the flow as needed," Gates said.
The Bureau of Reclamation is in charge of the project until the reservoir is full, estimated to be in 2011 - depending on water available. At that time, the project will be turned over to a management team hired by the A-LP sponsors - three American Indian tribes, the state of Colorado and water districts in Colorado and New Mexico.
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Durango Herald Calendar of Events
Thursday, March 18, 2010
at 6:14:23 PM
Suggest removal
Earth says...
Thanks for tearing up the land and filling it with water, me and all the plants and animals are not happy.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
at 5:46:58 PM
Suggest removal
Huck finn says...
American Indians keep their land private because to many treaties have been broken in the past, lies were used to justify a radioactive resiviour.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
at 3:57:05 PM
Suggest removal
Nevadape says...
The Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) is deserving of critics. New Orleans and Katrina, however, are probably best deligated to the US Army Corps of Engineers.
USBR has no role in the lower Mississippi basin.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
at 3:21:23 PM
Suggest removal
OpenRange says...
Native Americans don't even let us on thier land now - what makes people think they will let us use thier lake in the end?
Thursday, March 18, 2010
at 1:41:13 PM
Suggest removal
Chimmy Chonga says...
I hear if you use Irish Spring Soap it will neutralize the effects of the Uranium. Hope every one had a good St.Pattys day. I dint want that Lake here in the first place but if its here we might as well use it for Recreation. I cant believe no one wants to step up to the mic. and manage that Lake. Some one could make some $$$ with a nice full service Marina. Seems like a nobrainer.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
at 12:38:41 PM
Suggest removal
Bob says...
Not to mention the fact that the radioactive mine tailings were dumped up the hill from where the lake is. And FTA, the water is going to the American Indian tribes... MMMM gotta love the fresh mountain uranium in the morning shower.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
at 12:26:18 PM
Suggest removal
Thinker says...
Why would we not want motors on the lake?
We pumped water UPHILL to a valley that has no water other than a small seasonal creek. This was about the most non natural way to build a reservoir. We may as well allow boats and motors, we may see more $$ in the local economy, fewer people would drive to Vallecito, Navajo or McPhee.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
at 12:13:21 PM
Suggest removal
Wendy says...
The last of the Bureau of Reclamation boondoggles--except of course for New Orleans/Katrina. What a fiasco!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
at 11:44:15 AM
Suggest removal
Local says...
Hey, I've got an idea. Quit dumping the snow at the BMX track and take it straight to the lake. Oh, but then what would they do with the pumps built to pump water uphill.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
at 11:32:27 AM
Suggest removal
farmer jonez says...
Just what we need, a lake for no one to accompany our bridge to nowhere.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
at 11:21:30 AM
Suggest removal
James Watters says...
I'm most concerned with what type of boat will be launched at the ramp. I believe the lake should be limited to paddle, sail or electric trolling motor boats. One thing we don't need is more noise in this area.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
at 11:09:16 AM
Suggest removal
Stephen says...
It's not that easy. A million dollar boat ramp has been built but the city has yet to decide if they're going to open the lake to recreational use. I did get to see the lake filling tho'. Pretty darn cool.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
at 8:35:46 AM
Suggest removal
Chimmy Chonga says...
The sooner they stock the lake with Fish the better it will be when they open the lake to Fishing. They may have to wait a while to let the Fish get established and mature enough. I'm not sure how that works?
Thursday, March 18, 2010
at 8:31:16 AM
Suggest removal
Disenchanted says...
If we are ALLOWED to use it.....what a waste!!!!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
at 8:15:50 AM
Suggest removal
amos and andy complains to much says...
awesome! cant wait for this lake being so proximal to durango to be full