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<br />more efficient delivery of Compact water than presently exists. Johnny Pond Arroyo joins the La <br />Plata River approximately one mile upstream of the Colorado-New Mexico state line. (Figure <br />10.) This plan differs from the Long Hollow plan in that it would divert directly from the La <br />Plata River instead of gathering return flows and has a significantly lesser estimated annual yield. <br />The yield of the Johnny Pond Arroyo drainage is uncertain and may not provide, by gravity feed, <br />a reliable amount of water for reservoir filling. <br /> <br />3.2.2.3.1 Impact to Return Flows in the MA from the Development of Johnny Pond Arroyo <br />Reservoir <br /> <br />A Reservoir built in Johnny Pond Arroyo could not injure water rights to the east side of the La <br />Plata River and would not, therefore, negatively impact the wetland/riparian area of the MA, as <br />the irrigation return flows significant to the MA come from the east. Compact deliveries from <br />the Johnny Pond Arroyo Reservoir would allow increased irrigation diversions in the upper La <br />Plata River area and have the potential of increasing irrigation return flows to the MA. <br /> <br />3.2.2.3.2 Impact to High Spring Flows in the MA from the Development of Johnny Pond Arroyo <br />Reservoir <br /> <br />The filling of a Johnny Pond Arroyo Reservoir would occur during the winter time or when flows <br />in the La Plata River are high and there is no call on the river. The peak hydrograph below the <br />point of diversion would be impacted. No diversion location has yet been designated. No <br />Compact water released from Johnny Pond Arroyo Reservoir would flow through MA, thus, any <br />Compact water released from Johnny Pond Arroyo Reservoir would decrease the amount of <br />Compact water that has historically flowed through the MA. <br /> <br />3.2.2.3.3 Johnny Pond Arroyo Reservoir Impacts in the MA Assessment Conclusion <br /> <br />According to the WMCP, this project is unlikely to proceed, although it is still possible. The <br />primary potential threat to flows in the MA from this project are those associated with peak <br />spring flows, which cannot be fully quantified without further study and the decreased compact <br />water that would have flowed through the MA. <br /> <br />If Johnny Pond Arroyo Reservoir is not operated as presently envisioned and it is determined <br />that there would be significant negative impacts to flows through the MA from its development, <br />Reclamation will augment supplies to ensure that adequate water is available to maintain the <br />MA. The various steps and measures that Reclamation would take are discussed in Section <br />3.2.3. <br /> <br />-29- <br />