Acquisition of Shaw Reservoir will benefit people and wildlife in San Luis Valley

ALAMOSA, Colo. (KRDO) -- Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District (SLVWCD), and The Conservation Fund have completed a multi-year partnership effort to acquire and manage Shaw Reservoir, which is located in the headwaters of the South Fork of the Rio Grande.

According to CPW, the ongoing partnership will provide increased reliability of water supply for San Luis Valley residents, additional water supply for management of wetlands in the San Luis Valley, and secure permanent water levels for a popular recreational fishing destination.

As part of the agreement between agencies, CPW will allow the BLM and the SLVWCD to store their water rights at other CPW reservoirs, and the BLM and SLVWCD will maintain a conservation pool at Shaw Reservoir.

CPW said this will stabilize the fish population and provide optimal fishing conditions.

In addition to improving fishing conditions at Shaw Reservoir, the BLM intends to change the acquired water rights to allow their usage for irrigation of wetlands on the valley floor, including wetlands at the Blanca Wetlands Area.

“With climate change, drought, and a limited irrigation season, Blanca Wetlands is one of the few places in the valley that offers wetland habitat year-round. As a result, Blanca Wetlands supports tremendous biodiversity, including 200 species of birds. We feel extremely privileged to be a part of restoring water to these wetlands while also benefitting local water supplies and the recreation economy," said BLM San Luis Valley Acting Field Manager Dario Archuleta.

You can learn more about the partnership to acquire the Shaw Reservoir and the plans for its use in the San Luis Valley here: https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/News-Release-Details.aspx?NewsID=3615