WSP09097

• File Number: 8510.100.40
• Description: Rio Grande Compact Commission
• Basin: Rio Grande
• Water Division: 3
• Date: 1/1/1979
• Title: San Luis Valley Water Problems: A Legal Perspective - Part I of II
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Article I describes the agency established to administer the Compact

and also defines various terms used throughout the Compact. The following

are the more significant:

1. Project Storage is defined as the combined capacity of Elephant

Butte Reservoir in New Mexico and all other reservoirs available for stor-

age below Elephant Butte and above the first diversion to lands of the Rio
Grande Project, the total storage capacity being limited to 2,638,860 acre
feet.

2. Tributary means any stream which naturally contributes to the flow
of the Rio Grande River.

3.. Closed Basin includes that part of the San Luis Valley which drains

into the San Luis Lakes and adjacent territory and normally. does not con-
tribute to the flow of the Rio Grande River.

drainage basin but excludes water from the closed basin.

4. . Transmountain Diversion defines water imported into the Rio Grande

Article I also contains other definitions which will not be listed in
this report, but the concepts will be explained when necessary so that one
does not bog down in Compact terminology, which at times can be extremely
confusing.

Article II provides for the establishment and the maintenance of gauging

stations at certain specific pOints along the river and also below Elephant
Butte Reservoir, Caballo Reservoir and all reservoirs constructed after

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1929. The article also authorizes the establishment of gaugin9 stations
at other points that may be required to secure necessary information for
the operation of the Compact. These stations collect data which is then
used to assist in the proper administration of the Compact and is necessary
because of the schedules established in Article III and in Article IV. The

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