ELEPHANT BUTTE RESERVOIR

1988 Sedimentation Survey

U. S. Department of the Interior

Bureau of Reclamation
7-2090 (4-81

Bureau ol'Reelarnatlon TECHNICAL REPORT STANDARD TITLE PAGE

I REPORT NO. 2 GO 'RNM N r

-

3. RECIPIENT'S CATALOG NO.

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5. REPORT DATE

Elephant Butte Rescrs oir December 080

1088 Sedimentation S(II"ey 6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE

D-575

7. AUTHOR(S) B. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION

Curtis J. Orvis

REPORT NO.

9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS 10. WORK UNIT NO.

Bureau of Reclamation

Denver Office ii. CONTRACTOR GRANT NO.

Denver, Colorado 80225

13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD -

COVERED

12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS

Same

14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE -

DIBR

15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

Microfiche and or hard copy available from the Denver Office, Denver, Colorado.

Ed RDM

16 ABSTRACT

The 1088 sedimentation surey of Elephant Butte Reservoir documented the present storage-elevation

relationship and loss of storage from sediment accumulation since the previous survey in 1980 as required

by the Rio (;rande Compact. Sonic depth recording equipment was interfaced with an automated, microwave

positioning system to give Continuous depth and sounding positions during the hydrographic survey.

A total of 82 sediment range lines were resurveyed using end-point coordinates based on the New

Mexico State Plane Central Zone System. The longitudinal and lateral distribution of the measured

reservoir sedimentation are discussed. The Width Adjustment Method was used for revising contour

areas and computing reservoir capacity.

As of February 1988, at a reservoir elevation of l407, the capacity was 2,065,010 acre-feet and the

surface area was 36,613 acres. Between the reservoir surveys of 1980 and 1988, t5,300 acre-feet of

sediment have accumulated in Elephant Butte Reservoir. Since the reservoir's initial filling in 1915,

570,000 acre-feet of sediment have been trapped. The average annual rate of sediment accumulation

since 1915 is 7,800 acre-feet and 5,660 acre-feet since 1980.

17. KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS

a. DESCRIPTORS-- *reservoir area and capacity,i sedimentation/ *reservoir surveys/ sonar/ sediment

distribution

h. IDENTIFIERS-- Elephant Burte/ range lines reservoir area/ Rio Grande/ sedimentation surveys/

liydrographic surveys

c. COSAT! Field/Group OSH COWRR: 0808 SRIM:

¶8. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT 19. SECURITY C LASS 21. NO. OF PAGE

Available from the National Technical Information Service, Operations

Di sio 5285 P t R l R ad S i fi d V i i 22)61

U(CSLSPSoIRFTED

vi n, or oya o , pr ng e , irg n a .

20 SECURITY CLASS 22 PRICE

(THIS PAGE)

UNCLASSIFIED
ELEPHANT BUTTE RESERVOIR

1988 SEDIMENTATION SURVEY

by

CURTIS J. ORVIS

EARTH SCIENCES DIVISION

SURFACE WATER BRANCH

SEDIMENTATION SECTION

DENVER OFFICE

DENVER, COLORADO

December 1989
AC KNOWLEDGMENTS

The Bureau of Reclamation prepared and published this report. The hydrographic survey was completed by Curtis

J. Orvis and TimothyJ. Randle, Hydraulic Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office, Denver, Colorado, Personnel

from the Rio Grande Project Office, El Paso, Texas, and the Power and Storage Division Office, Truth or Consequences,

New Mexico, completed the land survey and assisted in the hydrographic survey. Special thanks to Michael Evans,

Bernardino Rodriquez, Hortensia Muniz, Lumberto Carmona, Felix Madrid, Filiberto Cortez, Ben Jacquez, Jose Barrio,

Chris Irvin, Ed Rodriguez, Galan Hanson, Karl Thedford, Frederick Williams, Regina Foster, Al Hasty, Larry Willardson,

Bill Neeley, and Mark Trevino for the field and office help on the hydrographic survey. Robert I. Strand and James

0. Blanton of the Sedimentation Section, Denver Office consulted in the sedimentation engineering computations

and report preparation.

Mission: As the Nations principal conservation agency, the

Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our

nationally'owned public lands and natural and cultural resources.

This includes fostering wise use of our land and water resources,

protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the environmental and

cultural values of our national parks and historical places, and

providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation.

The Department assesses our energy and mineral resources and

works to assure that their development is in the best interests of

all our people. The Department also promotes the goals of the

Take Pride in America campaign by encouraging stewardship and

citizen responsibility for the public lands and promoting citizen

participation in their care. The Department also has a major

responsibility for American indian reservation communities and

for people who live in Island Territories under U.S. Administration.

The information contained in this report regarding commercial products or firms may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes

and is not to be construed as an endorsement of any product or firm

by the Bureau of Reclamation.
CONTENTS

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Page

Introduction 1

Dam and reservoir 1

Drainage area 1

Summary and conclusions 2

Reservoir operations 3

Description of basin 3

Surveys and equipment 4

Surveying methods 4

Reservoir sediment distribution 5

Longitudinal distribution 5

Lateral distribution 7

Sediment analyses 7

Sediment accumulation 7

Reservoir sedimentation survey 7

Reservoir area and capacity 8

Bibliography 10

TABLES

Table

1 Reservoir sediment data summary 11

2 Summary of 1988 survey results and sediment distribution computations 15

FIGURES

Figure

1 General plan and sections of dam and spillway 16

2 Elephant Butte Dam and Reservoir 17

3 Aerial view of 'The Narrows" 18

4 Aerial view of upper reservoir 18

5 Map of drainage area 19

6 Monthly inflows into reservoir with end-of-month pool elevations 20

7 Inflow-duration curve for monthly inflow discharges 24

8 Stage-duration curve for end-of-month reservoir elevations 25

9 Layout of reservoir sedimentation ranges 26

10 Depth recorder (Fathometer) 31

11 Survey sounding boat 31

12 Fixed shore station 31

13 Operator console and data tape recorder 32

14 Graph plotter with range console and data processor 32

15 Longitudinal profiles 33

16 Percent depth versus percent distance relationship for the Rio Grande above Elephant Butte Dam 34

111
CONTENTS-Continued

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Figure Page

17 Depth-capacity relationship for Elephant Butte Reservoir 35

18 Sediment distribution curves 35

19 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 90 36

20 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 89 36

21 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 88 37

22 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 87 37

23 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 86 38

24 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 85 38

25 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 84 39

26 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 83 39

27 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 82 40

28 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 81 40

29 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 80 41

30 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 79 41

31 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 78 42

32 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 77 42

33 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 76 43

34 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 75 43

35 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 74 44

36 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 73 44

37 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 72 45

38 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 71 45

39 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 70 46

40 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 69 46

41 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 68 47

42 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 67 47

43 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 66 48

44 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 65 48

45 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 64 49

46 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 63 49

47 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 62 50

48 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 61 50

49 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 60 51

50 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 59 51

51 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 58 52

52 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 57 52

53 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 56 53

54 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 55 53

55 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 54 54

56 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 53 54

57 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 52 55

58 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 51 55

59 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 50 56

60 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 49 56

61 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 48 57

62 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 47 57

63 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 46 58

64 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 45 58

65 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 44 59

66 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 43 59

67 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 42 60

68 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 41 60

69 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 40 61

70 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 39 61

lv
CONTENTS-Continued

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Figure Page

71 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 38 62

72 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 37 62

73 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 36 63

74 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 35 63

75 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 33 64

76 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 32 64

77 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 31 65

78 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 30 65

79 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 29 66

80 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 28 66

81 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 27 67

82 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 26 67

83 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 25 68

84 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 24 68

85 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 23 69

86 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 34 69

87 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 22 70

88 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 21 70

89 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 20 71

90 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 19 71

91 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 18 72

92 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 17 72

93 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 16 73

94 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 15 73

95 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 14 74

96 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 13 74

97 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 12 75

98 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 11 75

99 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 10 76

100 Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 9 76

101 Area-capacity curves for Elephant Butte Reservoir 77
INTRODUCTION

Darn and Reservoir

Elephant Butte Dam, originally called Engle Dam, was one of the first major structures built by the Bureau

of Reclamation after its formation in 1902. Construction of the dam began in 1908, but progress was

delayed when difficulty was encountered in obtaining reservoir land. Construction of the dam resumed

in 1912 and was completed in 1916, although water storage operations began in January 1915. Located

about 125 miles north of El Paso, Texas, on the Rio Grande, the dam is part of the multipurpose Rio

Grande Project that controls floods, generates power, and stores and delivers irrigation water.

The dam is a 301-foot-high concrete gravity structure that is 1,674 feet long and impounds 2,065,010

acre-feet of water. The spiliway is an uncontrolled concrete ogee weir structure. A spillway channel below

the dam was added in 1921 and modified in 1947. Service outlet deflectors were added in 1944. The general

plan and sections for the dam and spillway are shown on figure 1.

In 1915, the surface area of Elephant Butte Reservoir was 40,064 acres and the capacity was 2,634,800

acre-feet at a spillway crest e1evation of 4407. The 1988 survey showed a surface area of 36,643 acres

and a capacity of 2,065,010 acre-feet at the same reservoir elevation. This difference indicates a capacity

loss of 569,790 acre-feet during the 73.1 years since the dam was built. An aerial photograph of the dam

and lower reservoir is shown on figure 2.

The reservoir has a length of 41 miles and an average width of 1.39 miles. The average width was determined

for the entire reservoir including the portion known as "The Narrows," which separates the upper and

lower reservoir areas. An aerial photograph of The Narrows under high water conditions is included as

figure 3. The reservoir elevation of about 4406 covered trees and vegetation in The Narrows portion

and permitted easy access to the range lines for the hydrographic survey. Many of the trees in the upper

reservoir were also inundated, as shown on figure 4. The last time the reservoir was at or near the spillway

crest elevation was in 1942. The high reservoir elevation provided the desired overlap between land surveys

and the 1988 hydrographic survey.

Drainage Area

The total drainage area above Elephant Butte Dam is 25,923 mi2. A flood study completed in 1984, as

part of the SEED (Safety Evaluation of Existing Dams) program for Elephant Butte Dam, computed a

1 All elevations shown in the text were based on the original project datum; to adjust these elevations to mean sea level, add 43.3 feet.
contributing area of 12,023 mi2. Subtracting the area of Elephant Butte Reservoir (57 mi2) would result

in a net contributing area of 11,966 mi2. Sediment from the remaining area upstream is considered to

be trapped by upstream dams including Jemez Canyon that closed in 1953 with a drainage area of 1,034

mi2; Galisteo, closed in 1970 with a drainage area of 596 mi2; and Cochiti, closed in 1973 with a drainage

area of 11,960 mi2. A noncontributing area of 310 mi2 along the river channel between Albuquerque and

Belen is assumed to sum to the total drainage area of 25,923 mi2.

For the 1969 survey report, Galisteo and Cochiti Dams were not completed, but Abiquiu Dam, upstream

from Cochiti, was closed in 1963 with a drainage area of 2,146 mi2. Subtracting the noncontributing area

of 310 mi2, the reservoir area, and the drainage areas for Jemez and Abiquiu from the total results in

a net contributing area of 22,376 mi2.

For the 1957 survey report, only Jemez would have been completed and the net contributing area would

be 24,552 mi2. This value excludes the noncontributing area of 310 mi2, the reservoir area of 57 mi2,

and the drainage area above Jemez Canyon Dam of 1,034 mi2.

A map of the original drainage basin has been updated to show the noncontributing areas above the four

upstream reservoirs, see figure 5.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

The primary purpose of the 1988 survey was to gather data needed to compute the capacity of Elephant

Butte Reservoir as required by the Rio Grande Compact. This report includes a discussion of the methods

used to measure and study 73.1 years of reservoir sediment accumulations, and to briefly describe the field

surveying procedures and equipment.

Standard land surveying methods were used to establish horizontal control points for the hydrographic

survey. The survey used sonic depth recording equipment and an automated survey system with a lineof -sight electronic positioning unit. The system continuously recorded reservoir depths and horizontal distances

from a fixed point as a boat was steered across the range line. Reservoir water surface elevations read

on the gauge at the dam were used as control points in converting sonic depth measurements to true

bottom elevations and to delineate the cross-sectional profiles.

The capacity of the reservoir from the 1988 survey was determined to be 2,065,010 acre-feet, with a surface

area of 36,643 acres at a spillway crest elevation of 4407 The reservoir area and capacity tables were

produced using the ACAP85 computer program that used measured contour surface areas and a least squares

curve-fitting technique to compute both area and capacity at prescribed elevation increments.

2
A comprehensive summary of the reservoir sediment data from the 1988 survey is contained in table

1. The volume of sediments that have accumulated in the reservoir since the original survey is 569,790

acre-feet, indicating a loss in capacity of about 22 percent. This results in an average annual sediment

accumulation of 7,795 acre-feet for the 73.1-year period from 1916 to 1988. At this rate of sediment

accumulation, it will take about 13 years to lose 5 percent of the volume of Elephant Butte Reservoir.

The Rio Grande Compact recommends a resurvey whenever a table of area and capacities is in error

by more than 5 percent. Therefore, the next sedimentation survey should be made in 2001.

RESERVOIR OPERATIONS

A plot of monthly inflows into the reservoir is shown on figure 6 for January 1916 through December

1988. The average annual inflow, based on 73.1 years of record, is 877,100 acre-feet. Reservoir stages

at the end of each month from March 1915 through January 1988 are included on figure 6. The reservoir

operation ranged from a minimum elevation of 4258.03 in 1954 to a maximum elevation of 4409.19 in

1942. An inflow-duration curve based on the monthly inflow discharge is shown on figure 7. Using the

end-of-month reservoir pool elevation data, a stage-duration curve was derived and included as figure 8.

Information from curves of this type is useful in making reservoir operation studies. Streamfiow records

of the gauging station at San Marcial, New Mexico, were used to represent the inflow for the period

through water year 1951. Beginning with water year 1952, the combined streamfiow records of the floodway

and conveyance channel at San Marcial were used. However, these records did not reflect the total inflow

because additional downstream tributaries to the reservoir, such as Monticello and Nogal Canyons, also

contributed to the inflow.

DESCRIPTION OF BASIN

Topography of the drainage area is varied. In the extreme northern portion, it is mountainous and rugged.

South of Santa Fe, New Mexico, the topography is less rugged, consisting of isolated mountains separated

by desert plains and the Rio Grande Valley. The elevations of the drainage area also vary from 12,000

feet above mean sea level at the Continental Divide to 4,450 feet above mean sea level in the reservoir

area.

The higher elevations are forested with pine and fir trees, and the slopes are sprinkled with cedars along

the foothills. Natural cover of the plains consists chiefly of creosote bush, sagebrush, greasewood, cactus,

and natural grasses. Thick stands of salt cedars, willows, and cottonwoods grow along the riverbanks above

the reservoir.

3
The Rio Grande begins in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado and flows between the Conejos Mountains

and La Garita Hills. The stream channel slopes are steep in the mountainous headwater regions. Most

of the surface rock in these regions is igneous or metamorphic and not easily eroded. Just above the New

Mexico State line, the river enters a deep canyon flowing through a stretch of low sediment contribution

until it enters Espanola Valley near the confluence with the Rio Chama. Upon leaving the valley, the

Rio Grande enters White Rock Canyon in the vicinity of Otowi Bridge. The unconsolidated sediments

of the Santa Fe Formation (Miocene and Pliocene continental deposits) have been eroded to form the

valley of the Rio Grande from the lower end of White Rock Canyon near Cochiti Diversion Dam to

near San Acacia. The flood plains and terraces of the valley are composed of alluvium that is available

for transport and contributes substantial quantities of sediment to the Rio Grande. From the mouth of

the Rio Salado, just upstream from San Acacia, to the headwaters of Elephant Butte Reservoir, the Palomas

Formation of the Quaternary period has been eroded to form the river valley. The major geologic formations

of the Rio Grande Valley are of the Cenozoic era [112.

SURVEYS AND EQUIPMENT

Ten different surveys have been conducted, beginning in 1916. The 1925, 1935, 1940, and 1957 [2] surveys

were run by the contour method, while the range method was used for the 1947, 1969 [3], 1974, 1980

[1], and 1988 surveys. Field work for the 1988 survey began in December 1987 and ended in September

1988. A layout of the reservoir sedimentation range system is shown on figure 9.

Surveying Methods

The field work consisted of locating the existing sedimentation range end markers and relocating those

markers that had been lost or destroyed. To develop range end control for the 1988 survey, a traverse

was surveyed from range lines 90 through 25 and tied into triangulation points at range 38 West (Nogal)

and range 51A (Ark). State plane coordinates for the range line monuments were established based on

the New Mexico central zone system [4]. Vertical control was established for range lines 26 through 90

where necessary. The above-water portions of the range lines from the range end to the water's edge

that were profiled during the 1980 survey were used.

A hydrographic survey was run in February 1988, using sonic depth recording equipment to sound the

underwater portion of 70 range lines. A depth recorder (fig. 10) was interfaced with an automated positioning

system to give continuous reservoir depth and sounding position as the sounding boat (fig. 11) traversed

each range line. A new mounting was developed for the boat-mounted T/R (transmitter/receiver) unit

2 Numbers in brackets refer to entries in the Bibliography.

4
since the 1980 survey. The positioning system transmitted a line-of-sight, microwave signal to fixed shore

stations (fig. 12), and converted the time of reply to range distances, which were then used to compute

the coordinate position of the sounding boat. The controls required for the system included reservoir elevation,

horizontal grid coordinates for all range ends and fixed shore stations, and the elevation of each shore

station antenna. Upon activating the system, the boat was steered across a range line at a speed of about

5 feet per second. The system also gave directions to the boat operator for maintaining course. During

each run, the depth and position data were recorded on magnetic tape (fig. 13) for later processing on

an electronic computer. A graph plotter was used to track the boat and to give an immediate plot of

each range profile (fig. 14). Auxiliary field equipment included radios for communication between shore

and boat personnel and another boat to move equipment and personnel around the reservoir.

Procedures described by Blanton [5] were followed as closely as possible. The upper portion of the reservoir,

sedimentation ranges 9 through 25, was surveyed under contract with the Albuquerque Office. The contractor

used the range method to profile the range lines, and established horizonal and vertical control. Coordinates

for the range end monuments were based on the New Mexico State Plane Central Zone System.

RESERVOIR SEDIMENT DISTRIBUTION

Longitudinal Distribution

The longitudinal profiles were plotted for the original, 1969, 1980, and 1988 reservoir conditions (fig.

15). Longitudinal profile data were also plotted in dimensionless form (fig. 16) for the original, 1980,

and 1988 conditions relating percent of depth to percent of distance. Percent of depth was computed as

the ratio of the thalweg depth at each range to the total depth. Thalweg depth was computed as the

difference between the thalweg elevation (lowest point) at a range line and the lowest point on the profile

(El. 4210). The total depth, 197 feet, was taken as the difference in lowest point on the profile (El. 4210)

and the spiliway crest elevation of 4407. Percent of distance was computed as the ratio of the distance

between the dam and each range to the total distance (41.33 mi) measured between the dam and the

point where the longitudinal profile intersected the thalweg elevation 4407 upstream. The graph on figure

16 indicates that between the 1915 and 1988 surveys, sediments had deposited longitudinally to the depths:

5
Interval distance above dam

(miles)

0-8

8-li

11-14

14-16

16-20

20-29

29-38

38-41

Average depth of sediment

(feet)

30

39

48

57

45

31

22

12

The greatest depths of longitudinal sediment deposits occurred between 14 and 16 miles above the dam.

This reflects a morphological effect that The Narrows region (range lines 50 to 59) has on sediment

deposition. The Narrows has an average width of 0.36 mile compared to an average width of 1.39 miles

for the overall reservoir.

As a matter of further practical interest, a theoretical distribution of sediment within the reservoir was

computed using the Empirical Area-Reduction Method [5]. It was assumed that the sediment inflow volume

to be distributed would be 569,790 acre-feet, the volume measured by the 1988 survey. A plot of the

depth-capacity relationship (fig. 17) using the original data indicated the reservoir to be type II. The "m"

valve is the reciprocal of the slope used to classify reservoirs. An "m" of 2.92 falls in the type II range

between 2.5 and 3.5 [6]. Results of the sediment distribution computations are listed in columns (8), (9),

and (10) of table 2 for a type II reservoir. These computations predicted that the sediment would deposit

to an elevation of 4260.3 for the inflow volume accumulated through 1988. This estimate compares favorably

to the elevation of 4250 determined from the 1988 survey. The sediment distribution curves on figure

18 show how the actual distribution compares with the theoretical distribution of a type II reservoir. The

curves show percentages of depth plotted against sediment deposited. The greatest differences between

the actual and type II curves are in the 60- to 80-percent depths. The shape effect from The Narrows

results in more sediment being deposited upstream, as evidenced from the lower than predicted elevation

of sediment at the dam and the actual versus predicted sediment distribution curves.

In addition to classifying the reservoir for sediment distribution computations, the stage-duration curve

(fig. 8) can be used to predict the delta formation of a reservoir [5, 6]. For delta computations, data

from the curve are used to determine the pivot point (where topset and forset beds intersect). Using

the 50-percent duration as a mean, the curve shows an end-of-month elevation stage of 4346. This indicates

the pivot point occurs at about range 59, as seen in the longitudinal profile (fig. 15). For a sediment

distribution study, the end-of-month stage of 4346 indicates the reservoir is operated with a normally

moderate to considerable reservoir drawdown. This would classify the reservoir as a type II (flood plainfoothill) reservoir, as indicated by the depth-capacity curve (fig. 17).

6
Lateral Distribution

Ground profiles of the 82 reservoir sedimentation ranges are shown on figures 19 through 100. These

profiles illustrate the general lateral distribution of sediments in the reservoir. Plots are from left to right

looking upstream to be consistent with previous survey reports. It should be noted that range line 34

is located between ranges 22 and 23.

The original and 1988 profiles do not fully agree in the lateral direction for all ranges. The original profiles

were transcribed from a 1915 topographic map with a contour interval of 10 feet. Thus, the point locations

from the 1988 survey were more reliable than the location of points read from the 1915 topographic

map. Also, it was necessary to estimate a portion near the end of some profiles to show how the original

survey data connect with the 1988 data and to facilitate the reservoir area computations.

SEDIMENT ANALYSES

Sediment Accumulation

Sediments have accumulated in Elephant Butte Reservoir to a total volume of 569,790 acre-feet since the

dam was constructed over 73 years ago. An average annual accumulation rate of 7,795 acre-feet was computed

for the 73.1-year period. At this rate of sediment accumulation, it will take about 13 years to lose 5 percent

of the volume of Elephant Butte Reservoir. The Rio Grande Compact recommends a resurvey whenever

a table of areas and capacities is in error by more than 5 percent. Therefore, the next sedimentation

survey should be conducted in 2001.

Measured sediment accumulations for the 1957, 1969, 1980, and 1988 sedimentation surveys were weighted

by contributing drainage areas to compute an annual sediment yield rate. The net sediment accumulation

rate from the contributing drainage area was 0.351 acre-foot per square mile per year for the 73.1-year

period from time of filling to the 1988 sedimentation survey.

Reservoir Sedimentation Survey

A summary of the reservoir sediment data for the 1988 survey is contained in table 1. The data include

a tabulation of incremental sediment inflow volume and sediment accumulation computed for the periods

between the 1915, 1957, 1969, 1980, and 1988 surveys. Both types of data are valuable in practical and

research studies.

7
RESERVOIR AREA AND CAPACITY

The 1988 reservoir surface areas were computed by the Width Adjustment Method described by Blanton

[5]. Briefly, this method entails computing the 1988 contour areas between any two ranges by applying

an adjustment factor to the 1915 contour area between the two ranges. The adjustment factor was determined

to be the ratio of the new average width to the original average width for both the upstream and downstream

ranges at a specified contour. Computations were facilitated by subdividing the reservoir into segments

using the sedimentation range lines to delineate the limit of each segmental boundary. For any given

contour elevation, the 1915 surface areas were multiplied by the adjustment factor to compute the 1988

surface area of each segment. The total surface area at a given contour elevation was computed as the

summation of all segmental areas at that elevation.

The 1988 surface areas were used as control parameters for computing the reservoir capacities by electronic

computer and the area-capacity program ACAP85. This program computes an area at 0.01- to 1-foot area

increments by linear interpolation between basic data contours. The respective capacities and capacity equations

are then obtained by integration of the area equations. The initial capacity equation is tested over successive

intervals to ensure that equation fits within an allowable error term. The equation is used over the whole

range that fits within the allowable error term. For the next interval, beginning where the initial allowable

error term was exceeded, a new capacity equation is tested to fit until the error term is exceeded. Thus,

the capacity curve is defined by a series of curves, each fitting a certain region of data within a specific

elevation interval as constrained by the limiting error term. The final area equations are obtained by

differentiation of the capacity equations, which are of second-order polynomial form:

y = aj + a2 X + a3 x2

where:

y capacity,

x elevation above an elevation base,

a i = intercept, and

a2 and a = coefficients.

Results of the 1988 area and capacity computations are listed in columns (4) and (5) of table 2. Listed

in columns (2) and (3) of this table are the original area and capacity values. A special set of area-capacity

tables has been published separately for the 0.01-, 0.1-, and 1-foot elevation increments [7]. A description

of the computations and coefficients output from the ACAP85 program is included with these tables. Both

the original and 1988 area-capacity curves are plotted on figure 101. At spiliway crest elevation 4407,

the 1988 capacity is 2,065,010 acre-feet and the surface area is 36,643 acres.

8
During the course of the area and capacity computations, it was evident that the capacity had increased

in some segments of the reservoir since the last complete survey in 1980. These gains in capacity were

partly attributed to the effects of compaction of sediments in those segments. An additional factor influencing

the increased capacities was the precision used to measure the profiles during the 1988 survey. The 1915

profiles were measured from the original topographic map using a contour interval of 10 feet. As a result,

the apparent profile width changes indicated between the 1915 and 1988 surveys were, in many instances,

due to inaccuracies in the original profile data.

9
BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] Lara,Joe M., "Elephant Butte Reservoir 1980 Sedimentation Survey," Sedimentation and River Hydraulics

Section, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, Office, Denver, CO, July 1983.

[2] "The 1957 Sedimentation Survey of Elephant Butte Reservoir," Sediment Section Report, Denver

Office, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, GO, November 1960.

[3] Lara, Joe M., "The 1969 Elephant Butte Reservoir Sediment Survey," Hydrology Branch, Bureau of

Reclamation Report REC-ERC-72-13, Denver Office, Denver, CO, March 1972.

[4] "State Plane Coordinate Selection and Verification of Rangeline Monuments for the 1988 Sedimentation

Survey at Elephant Butte Reservoir," Rio Grande Project, Upper Colorado Region, Bureau of Reclamation,

October 1988.

[5] Blanton, James 0. III, "Procedures for Monitoring Reservoir Sedimentation: Technical Guideline,"

Sedimentation and River Hydraulics Section, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office, Denver, GO, October

1982.

[6] "Design of Small Dams," 3d ed., Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office, Denver, CO, 1987.

[7] "Elephant Butte Area and Capacity Tables," Rio Grande Project, Upper Colorado Region, Bureau

of Reclamation, February 1988.

10
Table 1. - Reservoir sediment data summary.

-223I (I2-I

Bur.au e helamatâofl

RESERVOIR SEDIMENT

DATA SUMMARY

Elephant Butte

NAME (J RESERR 57

tIATA S}iFT lfl

I. OV'?R USBR Dept. of Interior 2. STREAM Rjo çran4 3. STATE New Mexico

4. sC. 30 TwP. 13S RM. 3W 5. NEAREST P. 0LrUthtJ..aeqUeflCe 6. COMY Slerra

7. LAT. 09' is'LCt'S 107° 11 28 8. TOP OF DAM ELEVATO1 4,414' La. SPILIWAY CREST ELEY. 4,407 -

10. STORAGE 11. ELEVATO.1 12. ORIGlIAl. 13. ORlGZA1. 14. GJ)SS STORAGE. 15. DATE

ALLOCATKU TOP (1 PIXL SFACE AREA, RAPACITY. ACRE ACRE-FEET STORAGE BEGAN

1. FL CU'JTIOL __________________ ________________ __________________ _________________

b. PU.TIPLE 2

4.407 40.064 2.631.585 2.634.800

C. POWER ___________

Jan.6. 1915

16. DATE N)Rd WATER SLPPLY MALOPER.

. ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

a. IRRIGAT ___________________ __________________ ___________________ __________________

f. C4SERYAT(N _______________ _______________ _______________

. P4ACTIVE

_______________

4.2313 42O 3,215 3,215 Feb. 1, 1915

- 17. LETH OF RESERVC$R 41 MIES AV. WOTH OF RESERV')R i ig MLES

18. TOTAL ORAlIAGE AREA 25.923 50. M. 22. MEAN AN'9JAL PR€CIPITATICN 15.1(8.22)Cl(S

19. NET SEI)MENT CCIITR8UTlG AREA 11.966k SO. M. 23. MEAN N'HJAI. RLROFF .65 lJCFES

20. LEIGTH 305 MLES AV. WOTH 85 MIES 24. MEAN N4'JJAI. RIJ()FF 920.8O0(92) AC.-fl.

21. MAX. ELEY. 1 .ooo MA1. ELEY. 4,2W 25. AN.&JAI. TEt#.: MEAN 52.3 RAt.GE38 .8-61.2

- 28. DATE OF 27. 28. 29. TYPE OF 30. t'O. OF

R

31. SL8FACE

R

32. CAPACITY

-F t

33. C/I. RAT().

SIJWEY PERICI) -fl R

YEARS

ACCL.

YEARS

SUWEY

_____________

AN3ES OR

CCIJTOL li.

AREA. AC ES

_____________

ACRE EE

_____________

AC. . PE

AC.-FT.

___________

Jan.6, 1915

-

Contour(D) 10 ft (CI) 40,064 2,634,800

Feb. 12, 1957 - 42.1 Range (1)) 73(R) lOft (Cl) 35,584 2,206,780 2.20

Ape. 1,1969 12.1 54.2 Range (1)) 60(R) 36,569 2,137,219 2.31

Jan. 24, 1980 10.8 65.0 Range (D) 81(R) 36.897 2,110,298 2.33

Feb. 17, 1988 8.1 73.1 Range (D) 82(R) 36,643 2,065,010 2.24

20. DATE OF 34. PERICO 35. PERICO WATER lfLOW. ACRE-FEE __________

36. WATER lit. TO DATE. AC.-FT.

__________ ATO a. MEAN N'NJAI. b. MAX At'I'4JAL c. PERICO TOTAI. a. MEAN AI1&lAL b. TOTAL TO DATF

Jan.6, 1915

Feb. 12, 1957 926,137' 2,440,000 38,99O,35O 926,137 38,990,350'

Apr. 1, 1969 646,121' 1,391,000 7 ,818 ,070' 863,624' 46 ,808 ,420'

Jan.24, 1980 710,2O4 1,427,000 7,670,200' 838,133' 54,478,620'

Feb. 17, 1988 1,189,815' 1,732,000 9,637,5O0 877,102' 64,116,120

26. O4gf F 37. PER CAPACITY LOSS. ACRE-FEET 38. TOTAL SED. DEPOSITS TO DATE. ACRE-FEET

_________ a. PERICO TOTAl, b. AV. At'NJAI. c. PER 30. M.-Y a. TOTAL TO DATE b. AV. AM'4JAI. e. PER SO. M.-YR

Jan. 6, 1915

Feb. 12, 1957 a -

- 428,020 10,167 0.393

Apr. 1, 1969 69,561 5,749 O.257 497,581 9,180 0.363

Jan. 24, 1980 26,921 2,493 O.208 524,502 8,069 0.337

Feb. 17, 1988 45,288 5,591 0.480 569,790 7,795 O.35i

20. DATE OF 39. AY. DRY. WGT 40. SW. DEP.. TO4S PER SO. M.-YR. 41. STORAGE LOSS, PCT. 42.5W, tFLOW, PPM.

SLVEY LBS,PERCU.FT.

a.P5RJW b.TOTAl. TODATE a.AV.At'N. b,TQT.TOPATE LP5R) b.TOT.TODATE

Jan.6, 1915

Feb. 12, 1957 60 - 0.386 16.2 - -

Apr. 1, 1969 62 416 490 0.348 18.9 10,60O 1O,S62

Jan. 24,1980 62 281 4559 0.306 19.9 3,49O 9,566

Feb. 17, 1988 62 631 4749 0.296 21.6 4,67O 8,830

______________

euanm _________________ ________________ __________ ______________ _______ ______________

11
Table I. - Reservoir sediment data summary. - Continued

7-Z2315 '12-las B.1u of Rlela4naOofl RESERVOIR SEDIMENT DATA SUMMARY (Continued)

26. DATE CW 43. DEPTH DESII1AT)CU RAUE 14 FEET BELOW, AlO A8OVE, CREST EL EVAT

93-j75_ 1765J 167-147 I 147127 I

l1-1p7 I 107-87 I 67 1 67- 47 I 27 I 27- I 11- CR I

__________ PERCENT CW TATAI. SED 9ENT_LOCATED_W1TjDEH DESO1⁄4IAT O4 _____ --

Feb. 17, 1988

___ _____

0.6

_____

0.3 5.2 9.4 11.5 9.1 10.3 14.3 18.6 13.2 73'°

26. DATE OF 44. REACH OESOTI(t1 PERCENT OF TOTAL 0R1014#L L1'G H OF RESERVOIR

0-10 I 1O2oI2o-3oI3o-4oI40-so 5O-6OI60-7OI7O-80I8O-90I9Q10( j '1051 -iioI -1151 -1201 -126

________ --

-PER OFTCII&2I NT Ifl 4CH O(SI4ATO'I - - -

45. RAN3E 14 RESE°aR OPERATICU ________ _________ ________

WATER YEAR

________

MAX. EI.EV,

_ ________

4. EtEV. AWLOW, AC-FT. WATER YEAR MAX. ELEV. I*& ELEV. 'EL0W, AC.-FT.

191511 4321.81 1 302,250 1930 43843 4372.27 930,000

1916 4346.85 4306.6 1,421,000 1931 4374.17 4349.74 418,000

1917 4353.8 4331.8 1,305,000 1932 4384.5 4351.75 1,440,000

1918 4337.0 4290.3 379,100 1933 4377.9 4365.02 717,000

1919 4358.8 42853 1,527,000 1934 4367.8 4325.0 298,300

1920 4393.87 4350.9 1,970,000 1935 4342.2 4322.8 917,600

1921 4392.5 43773 1,470,000 1936 4354.9 4331.83 872,900

1922 4389.5 4370.7 1,044,000 1937 4380.7 4333.87 1,597,000

1923 4377.4 43663 964,000 1938 4377.1 4365.6 1,004,000

1924 4395.8 4368.9 1,662,000 1939 4378.4 4351.2 615,700

1925 4382.1 4354.7 321,000 1940 4357.04 4323.2 333,100

1926 4378.1 4354.6 1,120,000 1941 4399.2 4324.3 2,440,000

1927 4373.95 4363.02 1,180,000 1942 4409.15 4397.0 2,322,000

1928 4379.10 4359.70 773,000 1943 4398.96 4380.82 441,600

1929 4374.8 4353.7 1,240,000 1944 4385.68 4369.16 982,500

6. ELEVATKN-AREA- CAPACITY DATA __________ __________ __________

ELEVATO4

__________

AREA

__________

CAPACITY ELEVATO4 AREA CAPACITY E1EVATO AREA CAPACITY

1915 Survey 1915 Survey

4210 0 0 4320 11,894 490,800

4220 98 490 4330 14,240 621,400

4230 376 2,960 4340 16,595 775,600

4240 671 4,660 4350 19,194 954,400

4250 1,684 15,800 4360 22,563 1,162,100

4260 3,157 39,700 4370 26,620 1,408 000

4270 4,691 78,600, 4380 30 191 1 692 800

4280 6,145 132,800 4390 33,451 2,010:300 4290 7,715 202,100 4400 37,328 2,363,900 4300 8,923 285,400 4407 40,060 2,634800 4310 10,202 380,800 4410 41,283 2,756,600

47. REMAFES AlO REFERENCES

'All elevations are project datum. Add 43.3' to adjust to mj.1.

2Irratlon and pow.

3Esthnated by interpolation.

elresenq lou of contrlbutfn8 area SInce c4oslng of Jemez In 1953 (1,Q4 m12), Gallsteo In 1970 (596 m12), Cochhl In

(11,yt,0 mu), noncontrLutlnj axes (310 mr), and re,crvofr area (57 ml').

1973

$ Rio Grande at San MarciaL

'For IntermedIate survey. See data sheet 57-1 and 57-la.

7RevIaed values from U.S. Geologlcaj Survey Water Supply Paper 1,732, totalled from Item 45.

48. AGENCY MAXIG SURVEY

49. AGENCY StPPI.Yt'G DATA 50. DATE Fthruiv 1 1QRQ

12
Table 1. - Reservoir sediment data summary. - Continued

-22311 (12-U) Buruu of ReclmaOon RESERVOIR SEDIMENT DATA SUMMARY (Continued)

26. DATE OF 43. DEPTH DESO4AT(N P.A$3E 14 FEET BELOW AtO A8OVE. CREST ELEVATO'

SURVEY I I I I I I

PERCENT OF TOTAL S€D' NT_LOCATED_WlTI* DEPTH DESGATeJ ______

______________ ______ - _

26. DATE OF 44. REACH DESK4&T(*4 PERCENT OF TOTAl. ORIg314AL LEt'G H OF RESRVR

SURVEY 0-10 l1O-20120-3O1304O1.4050 50601607017O80180901901001 -1051 -1101 -1151 -1201 -125

________ ENTjOiE i 1D 1.1CH DESO4A! -

45. RAU3€ l RESER R OPERATO 4 _________ ________ ________

WATER YEAR

_________

MAX. EIEV.

________

'& ELEV. INFLOW, AC-FT. WATER YEAR MAX. ELEV. ELEV. t'*LOW, AC.-FT.

1945 4385.60 4372.28 851,500 1960 4339.04 4322.40 563,400

1946 4375.66 4339.52 224,900 1961 4329.10 4301.99 437,700

1947 4339.36 4311.94 419,200 1962 4329.80 4304.38 748,100

1948 4349.22 4313.08 1,036,000 1963 4327.52 4282.07 405,500

1949 4351.3 4329.69 1,031,000 1964 4299.23 4275.51 164,200

1950 4346.01 4315.46 364,100 1965 4323.01 4277.46 821,700

1951 4315.79 4262.30 132,900 1966 4338.30 4311.03 725,340

1952 432439 4261.64 967,000 1967 4321.84 4293.03 391,600

1953 4220.49 4283.19 286,800 1968 4319.70 4295,09 646,230

1954 4297.30 4258.03 198,500 1969 4335.0 4308.77 787,600

1955 4295.46 427638 257,900 1970 4339.43 4303.02 729,200

1956 4304.40 4268.44 174,800 1971 4326.41 4271.19 413 100

1957 4337.12 4267.10 972,300 1972 4319.02 4279.67 427:900 1958 4373.34 4336.2 1,391,000 1973 435532 4319.22 1,309,000

1959 4362.8 4334.46 341,900 1974 4360.94 4321.20 451,400

46. ELEVATfl.J-AREA-CAPACITY DATA __________ __________ __________

ELEVAT4

__________

AREA

__________

CAPACiTY ELEVAT(N AREA CAPACITY ELEVATO'J AREA CAPACITY

47. REMA(S AN) REFERENCES

Total storage showed gain of 9,180 acre-feet since 1947 survey.

9Adjusted for upstream dame reducing contrilutlng drainage areas Abiqulu closed In 1963 (2,146 m12) and see footnote 4.

'°Values sum to 100.0 percent of deposIts (569,790 acre-feet) at crest El. 4407.

''From Jan. 1915 through Sept. 1915.

48. AGENCY MAXtG SURVEY

49. AGENCY SUPPtYIG DATA 50. DATE February 16, 1989

13
Table 1. - Reservoir sediment data summary. - Continued

-223Ia (12-es) Bursu of Reclamaton RESERVOIR SEDIMENT DATA SUMMARY (Continued)

26. DATE OF 43. DEPTH DESK4AT)CN RAU3 IN FEET BELOW, At'O AEDVE. CREST ELEVATO4

SURVEY I I 1 I I

PERCENT OF TOTAL SEDI NT_LOCATED_W1T )*' DEPTH DES)Q1ATG4 ____ ____

___________ ____ ____

26. DATE OF 44. PEACH OES*ATfl.I PERCENT OF TOTAL ORIGINAL LE)'GTHOFRESERO(R

SIPVEY 0-10 I 1O-20I20-30130-40140-50] 5080l6070l7080l80901901001 -iosl -iiol -1)51 -1201 -125

________ --

- PERCENTOFT0T LOCATE L H 4Aj - -

s3 ,4 RESE°"CR OPEPATICIN ________ ________ ________

_______

WATER YEAR

_ ________

MAX. ELEV.

________

MN. ELEV. INFLOW, AC.-FT. WATER YEAR MAX. ELEV. MU4. EI.EV. t'LOW, AC.-FT

1975 4345.91 4326.08 875,900

1976 4353.05 4318.02 580,900

1977 4325.18 4295.78 243,200

1978 4314.70 4290.20 385,100

1979 4364.95 4305.88 1,427,000

1980 4380.48 4363.81 1,280,000

1981 4378.14 4354.31 341,700

1982 4364.69 4354.30 824,300

1983 4383.60 4364.77 1,262,000

1984 4392,31 4381.05 1,052,000

1985 4404.35 4392.01 1,542,000

1986 4407.21 4402.84 1,576,000

1987 4406.60 4402.69 1,732,000

46. ELEVATr-AREA- CAPAC 'Y DATA __________ ___________ ___________

ELEVATOI

___________

AREA

__________

CAPACITY

_

ELEVAT)CN AREA CAPACITY ELEVATCN AREA CAPACITY

198'Survey l984Survey

4250 55 160 4350 14,872 652,300

4260 971 5,293 4360 18,011 816,715

4270 2,142 20,861 4370 20,994 1,011,742

4280 2,660 44,873 4380 24,890 1,241,164

4290 4,263 79,490 4390 28,697 1,509,096

4300 6,205 131,833 4400 33,433 1,819,744

4310 7,503 200,374 4407 36,643 2,065,010

4320 9,535 285,562 4410 38,019 2,177,003

4330 11,260 389,537

4340 13,210 511,890

47. REMA(S AtsC REFERENCES

48. AGENCY M*5G S*JVEY

49. AGENCY SURPLVU3 DATA 50. DATE Fthruaiv 16.1989

14
Table 2. - Summary of 1988 survey results and sediment distribution computations.

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)

Elevation 1915 Area 1915 Capacity 1988 Area 1988 Capacity Measured sedi- Percent of 1988 Computed Computed sedi- Percent of

(feet) (acres) (acre-feet) (acres) (acre-feet) ment volume measured capacity ment volume computed

(acre-feet) sediment (acre-feet) (acre-feet) sediment

4407.0 40,060 2,634,800 36,643 2,065,010 569,790 100.0 2,065,010 569,790 100.0

4400.0 37,328 2,363,900 33,433 1,819,744 544,156 95.5 1,801,218 562,682 98.8

4390.0 33,451 2,010,300 28,697 1,509,096 501,204 88.0 1,471,938 538,362 94.5

4380.0 30,191 1,692,800 24,890 1,241,164 451,636 79.3 1,185,179 507,621 89.1

4370.0 26,620 1,408,000 20,994 1,011,742 396,258 69.5 935,176 472,824 83.0

4360.0 23,563 1,162,100 18,011 816,715 345,385 60.6 726,869 435,231 76.4

4350.0 19,194 954,400 14,872 652,300 302,100 53.0 558,700 395,700 69.4

4340.0 16,595 775,600 13,210 511,890 263,710 46.3 420,707 354.893 62.3

4330.0 14,240 621,400 11,260 389,537 231,863 40.7 308,041 313,359 55.0

4320.0 11,894 490,800 9,535 285,562 205,238 36.0 219,222 271,578 47.7

4310.0 10,202 380,800 7,503 200,374 180,426 31.7 150,811 229,989 40.4

4300.0 8,923 285,400 6,205 131,833 153,567 27.0 96,391 189,009 33.2

4290.0 7,715 202,100 4,263 79,490 122,610 21.5 53,056 149,044 26.2

4280.0 6,145 132,800 2,660 44,873 87,927 15.4 22,289 110,511 19.4

4270.0 4,691 78,600 2,142 20,861 57,739 10.1 4,692 73,908 13.0

4260.3 3,302 40,717 1,007 5,590 35,127 6.2 0 40,717 7.1

4260.0 3,257 39,700 971 5,293 34,407 6.0 0 39,7012 7.0

4250.0 1,684 15,800 55 0 15,800 2.8 0 15,800 2.8

4240.0 671 4,660 4,660 0.8 0 4,660 0.8

4230.0 376 2,960 2,960 0.5 0 2,960 0.5

4220.0 98 490 490 0.1 0 490 0.1

4210.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0.0

Explaination of columns:

(1) Elevation of reservoir water surface.

(2) Original reservoir surface area surveyed in 1915.

(3) Original reservoir capacity from 1915 survey

(4) Reservoir surface area surveyed in 1988.

(5) Reservoir capacity from 1988 survey.

(6) Measured sediment volume = collumn (3) minus column (5).

(7) Measured sediment expressed in percentage of total sediment (569,790 acre-feet).

(8) Computed 1988 reservoir capacity using Empirical Area-Reduction Method (Type II).

(9) Computed sediment volume for period from 1915 to 1988 = column (3) minus co lumn (8).

(10) Computed sediment expressed in percentage of total sediment (569,790 acre-feet).
Space intentionally left blank due to security concerns 
Figure 2. - Elephant Butte Dam and Reservoir.

: -

-

:
____-.

- -

:

-

- -

Figure 3. - Aerial view of The Narrows.

Figure 4. - Aerial view of upper reservoir.

18
IT±±II

>7

II

LEGEM?

-_,._ -

Figure 5. - Map of drainage area.

19
4410

.

4390

Li

4370

4350

Li

Li

4330

UU- 4310

0

4290

r

4270

4250

4230

Li

RESERVOIR POOL ELEVATION RESERVOIR INFLOW

1

:• _

'

_______ _______ _______ _______ _______

- •t-

::

_______ II

:

_________

II

:

_______

I

::

:

:

::

i ! k

-

: '' : • :

'

1000000

900000

800000

L.

Li

700000

600000

-i

2:

500000 -

0

400000

Li

UD

Li

300000 U -

>-.

-J

200000

0

100000

4210 ---" 0

1910 191i 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919

WATER YEARS

Figure 6. - Monthly inflows into reservoir with end-of-month pool elevations. (sheet 1 of 8)

4410

4390

Li

4370

4350

Li

-i

Li

-J 4330

0

0

0

4310

0

>

4290

U-)

Li

:i: 4270

I-.

2:

0

4250

1

0

4230

Li

1000000

900000

500000

Li

700000

600000

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2:

500000

0

400000

Li

U)

Li

300000

>-.

-i

200000

0

100000

4210- 0

1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929

WATER YEARS

Figure 6. - Monthly inflows into reservoir with end-of-month pool elevations. (sheet 2 of 8)

20

RESERVOIR POOL ELEVATION RESERVOIR INF'LON

1)1 1.

-

- 1 1

_

-

----

-

: _

_______

--

- ____

_

_______ ________

_

I _______ _______

r

:

_______

: : : : :

(

___

S

,-,

___

-

___
4410

.

..

..

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0

0

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>

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0

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RESERVOIR POOL ELEVATION RESERVOIR INF'LON

ii

-

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z

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0::

0

400000

Li

(-I-)

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300000

>-

-J

200000

0

100000

4210 _______ ________ _______ - -

1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939

IIATER YEARS

Figure 6. - Monthly inflows into reservoir with end-of-month pool elevations. (sheet 3 of 8)

44 1IJ

RESERVOIR POOL ELEVATION RESERVOIR INFLON

iii _ _ _

II

• I

----

I

I

-k- ____

I

I

_______ _L_ .......... _______ _______

__

ii

____

:

__

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.... ............

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_______ _______

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0

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- _____ ___________ _____ _____ ..---- -

0

1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949

NATER YEARS

Figure 6. - Monthly inflows into reservoir with end-of-month poo1 elevations. (sheet 4 of 8)

21
4410

. .

4390

Li

L

4370

0

4350

Li

-J

Li

_

4330'

0

C

a: 4310'

0

>

4290'

(I-)

U

a:

4270'

z

0

4250'

L.

D

4230'

Li

1000000

900000

Feoooooj

U

700000

600000

-I

2

500000 -

a:

C

400000

Li

U-,

Li

300000 a:

>-.

-J

1

200000

0

100000

4210' 0

1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959

k4ATER TEARS

Figure 6. - Monthly inflows into reservoir with end-of-month pool elevations. (sheet 5 of 8)

4410

4390

Li

L

4370-

C

F4350-

Li

-J

Li

4330-

C

C

0

4310-

C

>

4290

U-,

Li

4270

FC

4250-

C

4230

Li

1000000

900000

F800000

Li

700000

ci:

600000

-i

z

500000 -

a:

C

400000

Li (n

Li

300000 a:

>-.

-J

200000

0

100000

4210- ------ -------- -- -0

1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969

HATER TEARS

Figure 6. - Monthly inflows into reservoir with end-of-month pool elevations. (sheet 6 of 8)

22

RESERVOIR POOL ELEVATION RESERVOIR INFLOW

..t - . ,.

RESERVOIR POOL ELEVATION RESERVOIR INFLOW

A. I i

_______

.

________

.

________ ________

-

;

:

•

. .•, .

_________

.

________
4410

.

4390'

Li

z

D

4350

Li

-i

Li

4330

D

0

a4310'

0

>

4290-

Li

a4270-

z

0

4250'

0

4230

Li

RESERVOIR POOL ELEVATION RESERVOIR INF'LOk

1000000

900000

800000

Li

700000

CE

600000

-i

z

500000

a0

400000

Li

Li

300000 a-

>-

-J

200000

0

100000

4210' '' _______ ' '''' ''''' '''' ______ ''.''' -0

1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979

IATER YEARS

Figure 6. - Monthly inflows into reservoir with end-of-month pool elevations. (sheet 7 of 8)

4110

4390

Li

4370

0

4350

Li

Li

1330

0

0

0

310

0

>

4290

Li

a4270

0

4250

0

4230

Li

1000000

900000

800000

L.

Li

700000

CE

600000

-i

z

500000 -

a0

400000

Li

U)

Li

300000 a-

>-

-i

200000

0

100000

4210 0

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

NATER YEARS

Figure 6. - Monrhly inflows into reservoir with end-of-month pool elevations. (sheet 8 of 8)

23

RESERVOIR POOL ELEVATION RESERVOIR INFLOl

:

:

j

: i

:

:

!

: :

.:

'

I.,

1. S

:

.

.

5-

:

St

___ ___

l •

It

___

It

___
PERCENT OF TIME GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO INDICATED MONTHLY RESERVOIR INFLOW

I-w

Figure 7. - Inflow-duration curve for monthly inflow discharges.

24

PERCENT OF TIME LESS THAN INDICATED MONTHLY RESERVOIR INFLOW
PERCENT OF TIME GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO INDICATED END-OF-MONTH POOL ELEVATION

LJJ

z

z

0

>

w

-Jw

I

z

0

0

0

Z4

w

410

390 ------ - - - - -- ---- -- -

380 -- - - - - ---- -

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- -- - - - - -

360

350 -- _ - - - - --- _ - - I - - -_ _ _ - - - - -_

330

320 -- - - - - - --- - - - - _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

310 -- - - - - --- --- -

290 __

80'

-- - - - -- /-- -- - - - - -.- -

270 -- - - - - - ---- - - _ _ _ _

_ _-_-- _ _ _ . . _ -

260 -- -

/

- - - - - - - - - - -

_ _ _ _ _ . . _ __

250

_ _ _ _ _ _ . _

tLtJN LJr IIM Lt Ir-v'kN lNUILkIW tJ'4L)-U -MON UI MJUL LLtVAIUN

Figure 8. - Stage-duration curve for end-of-month reservoir elevations.

25
Las Cncaa

MATCH TO SHEET

Figure 9. - Layout of reservoir sedimentation ranges. (sheet 1 of 5)

26
HATCH TO SHEETS

L$C

SCALE OF I

MICH TO SHEET

Figure 9. - Layout of reservoir sedimentation ranges. (sheet 2 of 5)

27
MiTCH TO 000FT

MOOCH TO SHEET 2

Figure 9. - Layour of reservoir sedimenration ranges. (sheet 3 of 5)

28
MATCH T(J5HLT3

Figure 9. - Layout of reservoir sedimentation ranges. (sheet 4 of 5)

29
AIbqo,rqvs

(ipJvoOt Outf

7

Reservoir

Los Croc' \

Cos$cbRd

Lr

+

-SCOLE O 5.ILES

Figure 9. - Layout of reservoir sedimentation ranges. (sheet 5 of 5)

30
-----

•1

-

1

Figure 12. - Fixed shore station.

31

Figure 10. - Depth recorder (Fathometer).

Figure 11. - Survey sounding boat.
Figure 13. - Operator console and data tape recorder.

Figure 14. - Graph plotter with range console and dara processor.

32
4260

4250

4240

4230

4220

420

Figure 15. - Longitudinal profiles.

33
100

90

80

70

60

z

°- 50

x

I0

0

40

30

ao

IC

0

0

-

2

/

________

-

/988 s

urey\

/

- / 980 Survey

_____

- /

x _______________

_______________

,

1' ________________

____________________

'Ic

O riginal (1915 Survey

Total dep th H - /9 7 feet

Total dis tance 0 - 41.33 mile s

/

_____________ I _____________ I I I I I I I

10 20 30 40 50 (0 50

DISTANCE -PERCENT

Figure 16. - Percent depth versus percent distance relationship for the Rio Grande above Elephant Butte Dam.

too

34
1000

8

6

'U

'U

ac

I0

2

IC

0

0

D

c1

U

D

z

Li

C)

tJ

0

r)

0

C"

0

Iiii! IHiJ

2Typeff)

A H. IIHIH 111111 -. !u'

CAPACITY-ACRE- FEET

Figure 17. - Depth-capacity relationship for Elephant Butte Reservoir.

4 6 8 I0

LEGEND

o 1988 SURVEY

a e

______ _______ _______ _______

______ ______

______-

-

_______ _______

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

PERCENT SEDIMENT

Figure 18. - Sediment distribution curves.

35
0

U-,

U,

Li

Li

I'.

-

a:

>0Li

Li

0

____ 1988 SURVEY - ORIGINAL SURVEY

I T:: ------

T\ii .T TT f/' 11

uiirirut. - rtri

Figure 19. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 90.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

0

C' ________ ________ ________ ________ _______ ________ ________ ________ ________

LI

C

LI

C

C

Li

Li

a:

>

Li

C'

Li C'

1

C'

U,

1,,

C)

C'

0 500 1000 1500 2000 250C1 3000 3500 4000 4500

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 20. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 89.

36
_____ 1988 SURVEY - ORIGINAL SURVEY

------

U,

U)

I-.

Li

Li U)

- 'C

t-.

a:

Li

-J

Id 'C

N,

'C

0

LI) r'J

'C

C

C)

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 21. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 88.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

U)

'C

'C

0

U, _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

'C

'C

U,

'C

'C

C

C

'C

'C

Li °

Li

0

U,

N)

D

- U)

a:

>

Li 0

Li

U,

C

U,

'C

U)

C

c'1

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000 6500 7000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 22. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 87.

37
Li

Li

z

D

F-.

a:

>

Li

-J

Li

1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

r

0

U,

r

0

In

0

I-.

Li

Li

Z0

>

Li

0

Id 0

t)

0

U,

1•

0

0

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 12000

DISTANCE - F'EET

Figure 23. -Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 86.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 12000 13000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 24. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 85.

38
U)

U,

U)

U)

Li

Li

0.4.

z

D

0

>

Li

-J

Li

0

.4.

0

U)

1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

CD

CDr'J

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 5000 7000 6000 9000 10000 11000 12000 13000 14000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 25. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 84.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

LI)

-- - -- --

'4

'4

C

U.

'4

U.

'4

1'

C

1-

Li

Li Lii

LN.

U)

z ci

cE 4)

>

Li N)

-j

Li

CD

CD

U)

'4.

U')

C')

CD

U)

IN

LI)

C')

r'j

E "i

iuuu uuu .,UUU iUUU UUU bUUU /000 UUU 9000 10000 11000 12000 13000 14000 15000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 26. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 83.

39
U)

CD

U)

U)

CD

CD

I-. '.

LU

LU

Z c

-

4, > ('1

LU

_J

LU

CD

CD

U,

CD

U,

U)

0

U)

U)

(N

CD

CD

Li)

LU t)

LU

CD lU)

z

D

-. U) I-. c'

>

LU

ci

tJ

U)

('I

CD

U) (-'4

U)

(N

(N

1

1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 18000 20000 22000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 27. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 82.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

U uu uUu /500 IU000 12500 15000 17500 20000 22500 25000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 28. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 81.

40
U)

(-'J

0

U)

FI-'

Li

Li U)

Z U)

I-.

> 0

Li o

__J F.)

Li

U)

F-

("1

V.

0

U)

U)

V.

1988 SURVEY - ORIGINAL SURVEY

-

Ii1 IIIIII I

---

'S

--

4UUU )UUU IUUU ui ouuu , uuu siu uuu I UUUU 11 UtJIJ I tJiJU 1 jUl30 14000 15000 16000 I 7u00

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 29. -Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 80.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

0

1

0

LI)

V.

V.

Li V.

Li V.

L

o

- 'r

>

Li

0

Li

0

1

0

/ "\ '2

-i--

1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 6000 9000 10000 11000 I 2000 13000 14000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 30. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 79.

41
C

U)

C

U)

1

1

Li

Li

z

U)

(N

C

C

(N

1

1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

'U'

DISTANCE - F'EET

Figure 31. -Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 78.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

C

C

U)

Li 1

Li '

ZC

U)

(N

00

C

2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 18000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 32. - Sedimenration range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 77.

42
____ 1988 SURVEY - ORIGINAL SURVEY

U)

U)

F-. .

Li

Li

U) cD-

> U)

LJ

-J

Li

U)

0

U)

'C

U)

('1

'C

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 6000 9000 10000 11000 12000 13000 14000 15000 16000 17000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 33. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 76.

_____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

U') --

'C

'C

U)

'C

0

0

'C

'C

Li

Li N

0

- 'C

I--.

> U') Li c'

j

r

Li 'C

0

0

t-)

'C

In

(N

'C

0

U')

(N

'C

iiiiIiiiiiiiii

. : iiIIIIiiIII I

i i

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 600(1 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 12000 13000 14000 15000 16000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 34. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 75.

43
U)

U)

Q

Li

Li

Z cJ

>

LJ__J

Li

tO

U-,

1988 SURVEY - ORIGINAL SURVEY

0

In

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 5000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 12000 13000 14000 15000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 35. -Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 74.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

0

U) _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______

U)

c'3

0

0

1

Li

Li rz 0

0

0

to

U)

c'J

0

______ ___

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 36. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 73.

44
____ 1988 SURVEY - ORIGINAL SURVEY

U.)

w

Li U) Li

z

-F-' ci:

> U•) Li

_J t',

Li '

D

t)

1

c'J

U)

UUU OWU '000 UUU 9000 10000 11000 12000 13000 14000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 37, -Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 72.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY LI)

1'

C

U.

If

F-' c

Li

Li

LI.)

z

D

- CE- w

>

Li

U)

Li c

C

CDr)

U.)

(,J

ID

n it-inn nt-inn

ouiju uuu 1uUUU LIUUU I4UUU 13000 14000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 38. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 71.

45
Li

Li

D

>

Li

-J

Li

U)

c,J

U)

N)

Li

Li

0

LI)

z

0

h-,

>

Li

-J

Li

0

C)

Ni

U)

N.

NJ

C)

U)

1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 12000 13000 14000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 39.- Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 70.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 12000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 40. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 69.

46
U)

Lfl

U)

0

0

Li

Li

Li

U)

z

D

0

I-. U)

N)

>

Li

U)

Li N

0

0

N)

U)

'N

N)

U)

'N

1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 12000 13000 14000 15000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 41. -Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 68.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

N)

U)

U)

'N

0

0

Li

Li r

L

Z o

U)

'N

U)

'N

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 12000 13000 14000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 42. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 67.

47
____ 1988 SURVEY - ORIGINAL SURVEY

C)in

LI)

(N

1

Li

Li r

z

-

> If) Li

J N)

Li

C)

N)

Li)

(N

C)

ii)

(N

C)

(N

V.

V.

C)

C)

C)

N)

Li

Id

C)

(4, IN)

V.

z

D

C)

cc

> V

Li

-j

Li

C)

(N

N)

V.

C)

C)

N)

C)

iX(

(N

1

U thOU 2UUU 30130 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 43. -Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 66.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 44. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 65.

48
C)

C)

-

U '

U_i

19138 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

z

-

a:

>

U

-

C) U LU

C)

C)

C)

1

C)

C)

U IUUU UUU 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000

DISTANCE - PElT

Figure 45. -Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 64.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

U)

________

C

C)

C)

U_i

UJ C)

z

D

a:

>

UJ

J N)

U_i

U)

N)

C)

C)

N)

9000 10000 11000

u Iuuu uuu jutju 'WuU uuU bUUU /UUU UUUU 9UUU 10000 11000 12000 13000 14000 15000

DISTANCE - PEET

Figure 46, - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 63.

49
_____ 1988 SURVEY - ORIGINAL SURVEY

Li

Li

z

>

Li

-J

Li

u

'C

'C'C

'C

'C

_--w ____

-

0

D

S'C

U•)

t.-.

'C

'C

S'C

'C

Li 'C

Li 'C

L.

'C

z 'C

- u_I

>'C

Li

0

Li Lfl

'C

U)

r)

V.

0

0

r)

V.

U)

1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 12000 13000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 47. Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 62.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

- -

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 48. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 61.

50
0

'N

0

0

t)

Li

Li

0

(0

D

F-. o

>i

LI

1

Li

0

'N

0

0

0

(0

'N

V.

1988 SURVEY - ORIGINAL SURVEY

\

- _'1

,)UuU uu 'woo 1500 5000 5500 5000 6500

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 49. -Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 60.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

0

0 ______ ______ ______ ______ _______

LI)

V.

U,

V.

V.

0

U,

V.

V.

U-' I-' r

Li V.

Li V.

0

10

V.

z V.

- U)

l-• p

F"

>

V.

Li

0

Li U)

F')

V.

Li)

'N

F')

V.

0

0

F')

V.

Ic)

N.

'N

V. ______

,,, iv,ju iuu uuu UU .)UUU .)UU 1U(JU 1500 5000 5500

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 50. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 59.

51
Li

Li

z

C

>

Li

-I

Li

1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

j;;;

T>

70 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000 2250 2500 2750

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 51. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 58.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

0 250 500

Ir

LI,

U,

(N

ILi

Li

Q

I'..

z

C

I-. U) ci:

>2

Li

-J

Li

CD

LI,

U)

(N

CD

CD

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 52. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 57.

52
CD

(N

CD

CD

CD

r)

Li

U

L.

CD

(D

1

z

0

E-

>i

Li

-J

Li

CD

(N

1

CD

CDt)

1988 SURVEY - ORIGINAL SURVEY

ci

(N

1

CD

U-;

U-)

(N

U

Li

CD

CD

z

0

a:>i

Li

-J

Li

CD

In

1

(I-)

(N

ci

CD

(1

1

0 lOU 200 300 400 500 600 700 50C) 900 1000 1100

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 53. -Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 56.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 54. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 55.

53
1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

/

I-,

Li

Li

>

Li

-J

Li

/41

U,

'C

U)

'C

'C

Q

U')

Li 'C

Li 'C

U,

(N

'C

'C

D

-

F- Q

'C

> 'C

Li

U-)

Li rt,1

'C

U,

'C

U,

(N

'C

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 55. -Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 54.

_____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

-r

0 250 500 750 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000 2250 2500

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 56. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 53.

54
0

tJl

U)

1

0

U)

Li

Li r'i

2: 0

In

t)

1986 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

Q

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 57. -Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 52.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

U)

C') _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______

U)

IU)

0

U)

Li

Li

aU)

2:

0

0

E-

>

Li

U)

Li -r')

C)

U)

In

C-')

C)

C)

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 58. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 51.

55
_____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

0

(N

0

0

1-'

Li

Li

>

Li

-J

Li

0

0

(N

0

0

1

U UU fUU 0U &)0 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 59. -Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 50.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

0

0 ______ ______ _______ ______ ______ _______ ______

tj)

ILi

Li r

zc

Li

J

Li

0

U,

t)

U,

(N

0

0

U UU ILPJU IUU 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 60. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 49.

56
____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

LI)

0

C)

LI)

LI)

[Ii

Li

LI)

D

- C) F- 0

>

Li

LI)

Li

N)

C)

U)

N)

LI)

C)

N)

N)

C)

N)

a iuuu uuu .IUUU 4U(J0 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 61. -Sedimentarion range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 48.

____ 1988 SURVEY . ORIGiNAL SURVEY

LI)

LI)

C

If

If

LI

I-'

If

C

C

If

Li

Li

I C)LI)

D

LI)

>

Li C)

LI)

N)

C)

LI)

N)

LI)

C)

N)

C)

t)

iuuu uuu .)Uuu ILJUU 5000 5000 7000 8000 9000 10000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 62. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 47.

57
U)

U-,

U)

U)

U)

Ui

I-. -

LU

LU

U)

Z U)

-

>

LU '

LU

U)

N)

LI)

N)

U)

N)

ci

N)

LU

LU

z

D

>

LU

-J

LU

1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

\J\

___ ___

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 63. -Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 46.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000 6500 7000 7500 8000 8500

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 64.- Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 45

58
C)

C)

C)

1988 SURVEY - ORIGINAL SURVEY

C)

0

N)

1

C) F-.

Li N)

Li

1.

C)

INsN)

z0

- C) F-. N)

>

Li

_J C)

Li

N)

C)

N)

C)

N)

N)

C)

(N

N)

S S __

IJU IULIU IW UUU 5UU 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000 6500

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 65. -Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 44.

_____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

C)

C)

C)

C)

C)

N)

C) F-'

Li N)

Li

C)

IN5N)

z

0

- C)

I-'

cE N)

>

Li

- I

Li n

N)

C)

V.

N)

C)

N)

N)

V.

C)

(N

N)

V.

iuu uuu uu jUUU .)UU IUUU 4500 5000 5500 6000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 66. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 43.

59
ILU

LU

z

>

Li

-J

LU

Li

Li

cc

>

LU

-J

LU

1958 SURVEY ORIGiNAL SURVEY

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 600C) 6500 7000 7500

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 67. -Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 42.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 68. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 41.

60
____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

4

1'

0

Li

Li

Z 0

cD?

-'.

>

Li

C

Li u

1••

C

--------- -

DISTANCE - FFF'T

Figure 69. -Sedimenrarion range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 40.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

C

U.) _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______

U.)

U.)

r'J _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______

U.)

C

U.)

Li

Li

C

U.)

0

- U.)

I-..

>

Id

C

Li o

1

U.)

t.)

C

U, r,.)

U.)

C-')

'luuu sJUU bIJUI) 1000 000 9000 10000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 70. - Sedimenrarion range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 39.

61
C)

C)

U)

1•

U-,

r.-.

C) U-)

Li

Li

Lfl

1•

z

0

F-.

> -

Li

-J

Li

C)

If)

N,

1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

I-f)

C)

1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000

DISTANCE - FEET

If,

UC

C

UULi

Li

z

1

cE

> C)

Li

Li

U,

C)

t.

0

U-)

N)

U)

N)

Figure 71. -Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 38.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

DISTANCE - FEET

Fgure 72. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 37.

62
10

Li

Li

1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

Z D

.0

0

In

I,,,

UC

I:

ItF-,

Li

Li

Li

0

z

D

F 10

>

Li

-J

Li

0

0

It)

0

Li)

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 73. -Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 36.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

___ ___ ___

-

U 5UU IUUU 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 74. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 35.

63

4000 4500 5000
____ 1988 SURVEY - ORIGINAL SURVEY

1

0 _____ _____ _____

___ ___ ___ J ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

0

(0 ____ ____ ____ ____

--

____ ____ ____

to

1 _____ _____ _____

500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000 6500

U.,

U.,

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 75. -Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 33.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

0

U-,

U.,

F-.

Li

Li

L,

U-,

D

F- u

ci:

>

Li

-i

Li

0

U-,

to

U-,

0

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000 6500 7000 7500 8000 8500

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 76. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 32.

64
____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

U-,

Cs _______ _______ _______ _______

U-,

0. _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ If)

U-)

V.

0

______H\___

1000 2000 30U0 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 77. - Sedimenrarion range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 31.

_____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

U)

(-5 _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

If)

V.

C)

C) _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ If) I

Lfl

V.

V.

U

U

C)

If)

V.

V.

D

F-.

> V.

U

-J

1,-i

C)

V.

V.

U)

N.

C-)

C)

U)

C)

U iUUU uuU UUU iUUU 51J00 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 12000 13000

DISTANCE - FEET

Fgure 78. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 30.

65
U)

1

U)

U)

N.

Li

U

U)

z

D

1-

Li

-J

Li

D

U)

N.

1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

TV

U)

1•

Li

Li

z

D

>

Li

Li

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 12000 13000 14000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 79. -Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 29.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 12000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 80. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 28.

66
C-)

C)

U)

C)

U)

1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

C)

U)

F-'

U

Li

C)

0

F-' C) ci:

>;

Ui

-J

Li

C)

C)

C)

U)

U)

C)

U)

U)

O 1000 UUU 500U 4UUU 5000 5000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 12000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 81. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 27.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

C)

C) _______ _______ _______ _______ U)

C)

U) _______ _______ _______

_______

C)

U). ______ _____ ____ ______ ______

F-'

_____

U

U

Li C)

'

z

j

ci

I-.-. C)

>;

U

-J

U

C)_____ 4

C)

U). ______ ______ -______ ______ ______

_

C)

Co

U)

______

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000

DISTANCE FEET

Figure 82. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 26.

67
____ 1988 SURVEY - ORIGINAL SURVEY

I::_

IL

z

C

>

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 83. - Sedithentatiorl range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 25.

_____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 6UUU 9IJUU ILJIJUU

DISTANCE - PEEl

Figure 84. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 24.

68
____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

LI)

0

0

LI)

LI)

Li

Lu

0

D

E-. u

ci:

U

Li

0

0

Li)

N)

0

Li)

N)

________ ________ ________

-,'__---.__j -' /r-.i ________ --

'1

U UU JUUU I5UU 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 85. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 23.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

0

N. ________ ________ ________

0

(I) - _______ _______ _______

0

LI) ________ ________ ________

0

F-. - _______ _______ _______ ________ Li

Li

_______

0

I __________ ____

z

D

0

7'

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 86. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 34.

69
U

Li

z

D

CE

>

Li

-J

U

Li

Li

L

z

0

I--.

CE

>

Li

-J

Li

1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 87. Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 22.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 88. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 21.

4

70
a)

D

U)

Li

Li

Li

a)

a)

D

a:

>

HLi

a)

a)

a)

1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

0EEEEEEEEEE 250 500 750 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000 2250 2500 2750 3000 3250 3500 3750 4000 4250

DISTANCE PERT

Figure 89. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 20.

1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL 5URVLY

a)

(ii

F-'

Li

LJLi

Z U)

a)

a)

U)

0)

a)

0)

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000 6500

DISTANCE PERT

Figure 90. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 19.

71
ID

Lii

ci

U

U

ci

N)

0

-

1988 SURVEY ORIGiNAL SURVEY

F- ci

U

-J

U]

ci

ci

ci

(-)

0)

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500

DISTANCE - FTET

Figure 91. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 18.

_____ 1988 SURVEY URIGINHL SURVEY

Li)

C

Li

Li

ci

z

D

- ci

N)

>

Li

ci

1,_i N

V.

ci

V.

ci

V.

ci

a)

N)

V. -

IIIIIIIIIII

DISTANCE - FTET

Figure 92. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 17.

72
S

C)

C)

C)

(0

Li

Li u,

2

-> C)

Li v

Li

C)

c'J

C)

1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

C)

C)

C)

C)

(0

1

C)

It)

F-..

Li

Li

> .

Li

-i

Li

C)

c'J

C)

1•

C)

C)

0 250 500 750 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000 2250 2500 2750 3000 3250 3500 3750 4000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 93. -Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 16.

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000 6500 7000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 94. - Sedimenrarion range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 15.

73
Li

Li

L.

cr

>

La

La

-

C)

C)

LI)

C)

C)

U-)

C) F-' a

Li

Z C)

D

LID

-

a:

>

La

C)

C)

C)

C)

____ 1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

IEEIIE

1

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000 6500 7000 7500 8000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 95. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 14.

1988 SURVEY ORIGiNAL SURVEY

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 IUUUU 11000

fl1TANflr -. FFT

Figure 96. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 13.

I

*

74
____ 1986 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

C

C)

1

C)

I- ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______

LU

LU

L..

2: C

Li ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

'5"

C

C)

- _______ _______ _______

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000

DISTANCE - FEET

13

C

C

Lfl

LU

LU

C

z

D

> S

Li

Li

C

C

C

C

Figure 97.- Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 12.

1988 SURVEY URIGINHL SURVLI

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 5000 7000 6000 9000 10000 11000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 98. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 11.

75
a3

D

Li

Li LO

cD- t.

a:

>

Li ri

Li

(N

19B6 SURVEY - ORIGINAL SURVEY

T -___ -

D

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 99. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 10

1988 SURVEY ORIGINAL SURVEY

Lfl

U)

Li

Li

Z fl

a:

(N

(N

(N

-

--- r-___

- -

0 250 500 750 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000 2250 2500 2750 3000 3250 3500 3750

DISTANCE - FEET

Figure 100. - Sedimentation range profiles for 1915 and 1988, range 9.

76
AREA (1000 ACRES)

4410

4400

4390

4380

4370

4360

4350

4340

U 4330

U

4320

4310

4300

>

U 4290

(LJ

4280

4270

4260

4250

4240

4230

4220

4210

12 39 3b 313 3U 21 24 21 15 15 12 9 6 3 U

__

/7 ,, ___

/

/

-

____

\

___

-

/

/

-"C

/

APACI TY AREA

'

s

7,, ____ ____

- LEGEND -- ____ ___ ____

1988 SURVEY

- ____ ____ ____ ____ -

1915 (ORIGINAL) SUPVEY

_____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ ____________________________________________

N

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 14

______________________________

00 1600 18

______________

00 20

_____________

00 22

_____________

00 24

_____________

00 2600 28(

CAPACITY (1000 F1CRE[[T)

Note: Add 43.3 feet to adjust to mean sea level elevation.

Figure 101. - Area-capacity curves for Elephant Butte Reservoir. US GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1990-831272
ol lb Bureau of Reclamation

'T'l,e Bureau of flerIarnuttiri of i/u' ( .5. Department of the Interior

is responsible fur the derelopinru! and ('onsereation of the \ation's

waler resources in the Il esfern I ,tited Stales.

ihe Bureau s rrugirlaI purpose "to protule for the reel oruat ton of arid

101(1 renirarid lands in the ( est' todi enters a wide range o

interrelated junetlolts. lhese include pri1tuliri municipul arid

industrial water supplies: hsdrot'lertric power generation: i'rigalion

uat er jor agricu it t re: water qua/il V un p rote in en 1: florid con I rul: ri ti

natigation: ricer regulation and control: fish and wildlife enhance-

,? I eli!: out i/our recrea 110,1: arid researCh on tint er-re/at ed des urn

construction, materials. atniosplieric rnancigetnent. and wind and solar

pa ncr.

Bureau programs niost frequent/v are the result of close cooperation

nit I, the (5. Congress. (it her Federal agencies, tates, lion!

gotern ut en Is, acadern ic inst un lions, tinter-user organizations. iiud

other concerned groups.

A free pamphlet s available from the Bureau entitled "Publications

for Sale." It descnbes some of the techncal publications currently

available, their cost, and how to order them. The pamphlet can be

obtained upon request from the Bureau of Reclamation, Attn D-7923A,

P 0 Box 25007, Denver Federal Center, Denver CO 80225-0007.