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<br />~' <br /> <br />oJ. <br /> <br />The Colorado River compact: A <br />A Breeding Ground for International, <br />National, and Interstate <br />Controversies <br />John U. Carlson <br /> <br />I. INTRODUCTION <br />The Colorado River is one of the most <br />physically developed and controlled rivers in the nation. <br />It is also one of the more water-deficient systems with <br />a service area that extends far beyond its physical <br />drainage area. Despite its relatively meager water <br />supply, a larger percent of water is exported from the <br />Colorado River system than from any other major river <br />system in the United states. Although the water supply <br />of the river is arguably adequate to meet the <br />quantitative needs today and in the immediate future of <br />both the Upper and Lower Basin, severe problems currently <br />exist related to water shortage. Most resource <br />development undertakings require an assured supply of <br />water for at least 40 years in order to justify making <br />the initial investments. Thus, the fact that there is <br />no actual shortage of water today or in the immediate <br />future is of little comfort to those whose future depends <br />upon an assured and adequate supply of water for the next <br />40 to 50 years. See U.S. Department of Interior, <br />