San Luis Valley, Colorado

San Luis Valley
Colorado
J.S. and S.W. Aber

In May 2006 and again in May of 2007, the authors had the opportunity to conduct kite aerial photography in the San Luis Valley of south-central Colorado. At ~7500 feet elevation, this valley has been called the highest desert in the United States. Annual precipitation is less than eight inches (20 cm). Nonetheless, surface water and ground water are abundant, fed by snow melt from the surrounding mountain ranges. The most important surface drainage is the Rio Grande, which enters from the west and flows out the southern end of the valley. Many other smaller streams flow down from the mountains and disappear into thick sediments below the valley floor. Ground water emerges in springs, seeps and artesian wells throughout the valley, and creates many wetlands. Irrigation supports much agriculture; potatoes are particularly important in the western portion of the valley.

Kite aerial photography at high altitude requires a good wind and large kite--see high-altitude KAP. At this elevation on a warm day, air density is considerably less than at sea level, which reduces kite lift. We used both the Sutton Flowform 16 and large rokkaku kites to lift our camera rigs. Generally 15-25 mph wind is necessary for KAP success at this altitude.

Russell Lakes State Wildlife Area
May 2006
View eastward over Trites Lake in the central portion of Russell Lakes State Wildlife Area (SWA) with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the background.
View northeastward over a clear pool in Russell Lakes SWA. This pool is fed by water from an artesian well (see below).
Parking area for Russell Lakes SWA off U.S. highway 285. An artesian well (A) is located in the grove of trees. This well flows naturally and discharges ground water into a small channel that drains toward the lower left corner of the scene.

**Russell Lakes State Wildlife Area**
May 2006
	View eastward over Trites Lake in the central portion of Russell Lakes State Wildlife Area (SWA) with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the background.
	View northeastward over a clear pool in Russell Lakes SWA. This pool is fed by water from an artesian well (see below).
	Parking area for Russell Lakes SWA off U.S. highway 285. An artesian well (A) is located in the grove of trees. This well flows naturally and discharges ground water into a small channel that drains toward the lower left corner of the scene.

San Luis Lake State Park
May 2006
View toward northeast over San Luis Lake in the foreground with Great Sand Dunes in the background against the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range.
View southeastward over San Luis Lake with Sierra Blanca in the background. Three peaks exceed 14,000 feet elevation: Blanca Peak, Little Bear Peak, and Mount Lindsey. Zapata Falls (Z) is located at the head of a large alluvial fan on the mountain flank.
Campground complex at San Luis Lake State Park in the foreground with San Luis Lakes SWA beyond.
Entrance to San Luis Lake State Park (upper left) and closeup view of lake shore. A water-supply canal passes behind the park entrance. Ground water "salvaged" from high-capacity wells is transported southward to the Rio Grande for use in New Mexico.

**San Luis Lake State Park**
May 2006
	View toward northeast over San Luis Lake in the foreground with Great Sand Dunes in the background against the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range.
	View southeastward over San Luis Lake with Sierra Blanca in the background. Three peaks exceed 14,000 feet elevation: Blanca Peak, Little Bear Peak, and Mount Lindsey. Zapata Falls (Z) is located at the head of a large alluvial fan on the mountain flank.
	Campground complex at San Luis Lake State Park in the foreground with San Luis Lakes SWA beyond.
	Entrance to San Luis Lake State Park (upper left) and closeup view of lake shore. A water-supply canal passes behind the park entrance. Ground water "salvaged" from high-capacity wells is transported southward to the Rio Grande for use in New Mexico.

Great Sand Dunes National Park
May 2007
Overview of Medano Creek, beach, parking, and picnic areas on the northeastern side of the Great Sand Dunes under partly cloudy sky.
Detail of the beach, parking, and picnic areas. Notice people on the beach and wading into Medano Creek. Kite flyers in lower left corner; the authors were assisted here by Cheryl Unruh and Dave Leiker.
People standing on the beach (left), wading across Medano Creek, and walking onto the dunes (right).
Westward view along the flank of the Great Sand Dunes, which are mottled under cloud shadows. People appear like columns of ants moving into the dunes.
Looking upsteam along Medano Creek on the eastern edge of the Great Sand Dunes with the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range in the background under clouds.
Detail of Medano Creek showing intricately braided pattern of channels within the stream.
Near-vertical view of small island and channels in Medano Creek.

**Great Sand Dunes National Park**
May 2007
	Overview of Medano Creek, beach, parking, and picnic areas on the northeastern side of the Great Sand Dunes under partly cloudy sky.
	Detail of the beach, parking, and picnic areas. Notice people on the beach and wading into Medano Creek. Kite flyers in lower left corner; the authors were assisted here by Cheryl Unruh and Dave Leiker.
	People standing on the beach (left), wading across Medano Creek, and walking onto the dunes (right).
	Westward view along the flank of the Great Sand Dunes, which are mottled under cloud shadows. People appear like columns of ants moving into the dunes.
	Looking upsteam along Medano Creek on the eastern edge of the Great Sand Dunes with the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range in the background under clouds.
	Detail of Medano Creek showing intricately braided pattern of channels within the stream.
	Near-vertical view of small island and channels in Medano Creek.

**Elephant Rocks**
May 2007

Panoramic view with Elephant Rocks in the foreground and foggy San Juan Mountains in the background.

	View toward south. Elephant Rocks in the foreground consist of eroded granite and volcanic tuff beds. San Luis Valley in left background with center-pivot irrigation; San Juan Mountains on the right horizon.
	View eastward with Elephant Rocks in the foreground and San Luis Valley in the background. The Sangre de Cristo Mountain range is barely visible in the far distance.
	View northward. The oval-shaped light feature in lower right is a quarry in tuff, a type of volcanic rock that was erupted along the eastern margin of the San Juan Mountains.
	Near-vertical view showing ant hills (light patches) and animal trails. The ant hills are about 4 to 6 feet in diameter.
	Self portrait of the authors at Elephant Rocks.

Related sites

Alamosa NWR from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Monte Vista NWR from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
San Luis Valley from the Nature Conservancy.

Return to KAP gallery.
Last update: May 2007.