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<br />A summary, as well as the complete text of the Compact, is attached as Appendix C. <br />Administrating the compact on a daily basis is very difficult and inefficient. The critical <br />measuring point (Hesperus Gage) is approximately 31 miles from the New Mexico State line. <br />This is one of the reasons why entities in the La Plata River Basin are looking for ways to allow <br />better administration of the La Plata River Compact. <br /> <br />The Compact allows Colorado users an unrestricted right to store water between December 1st <br />and February 15th. This would be the prime time to store water in a new reservoir, ifit could be <br />done in priority. An issue regarding La Plata River winter livestock watering may still be <br />unresolved. However, water could be stored in wet years, during periods of high flows when the <br />La Plata River flows at the Hesperus gauge exceed 200 cfs and the remaining water rights are in <br />priority. <br /> <br />It would be impossible to predict every event that could happen in the La Plata River Basin that <br />could impact the MA. However, the LPWCD is conducting feasibility level investigations on <br />several water development scenarios in the La Plata River Basin. Table 3 lists these scenarios. <br />As planning continues, priorities and plans can and will be changed. The listed potential <br />changes to water management in the La Plata River Basin include Red Mesa Ward Reservoir <br />enlargement and operation, Long Hollow Reservoir development and operation, Johnny Pond <br />Arroyo Reservoir development and operation, Soldier's Draw Reservoir operation, a domestic <br />water supply from the Animas River Basin, and a domestic water supply from the La Plata River <br />Basin. Other potential changes could include changes in points of diversion of water rights on <br />the La Plata River or a net reduction in the amount of irrigated acres on the lands contributing <br />irrigation return flows directly to the MA. The following sub-sections further describe these <br />possible changes to the flow regime in the MA and explore their potential impact on the <br />wetland/riparian functions and values of the MA. <br /> <br />-21- <br />