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0=1553 The Arkansas River provides water to both Kansas and Colorado. The river is managed in accordance with the Arkansas River Compact. The compact states in Article IV-D that, ''This compact is not intended to impede or prevent future beneficial development of the Arkansas River Basin in Colorado and Kansas by federal or state agencies, by private enterprise, or by combinations thereof, which may involve construction of dams, reservoirs, and other works for the purposes of water utilization and control, as well as the improved or prolonged functioning of existing works. Provided that the waters of the Arkansas River, as defined in Article II, shall not be materially depleted in usable quantity or availability for use to the water users in Colorado and Kansas under this compact by such future development or construction. " Irriaation Induced Erosion Excessive irrigation induced furrow erosion is documented on approximately 10,000 acres. This occurs mainly in the upper portions (300 feet) of the fields. Overall irrigation induced erosion averages 77,000 tons per year. Lower portions of fields are damaged by sediment disposition. An estimated 20,000 tons of sediment is contributed to the Arkansas each year. The clean water provided to irrigators since the Pueblo Reservoir was constructed has magnified this problem. The sediment generated travels to the Arkansas River through drains and creeks. The sediment is contributing to the reduction in flow capacity of the Arkansas River downstream and reducing the storage of the John Martin Reservoir. In addition to sediment, high concentrations of TDS, heavy metals, trace elements, and nutrients are being carried downstream to other users and into the John Martin Reservoir. Yield reductions from the erosion and sedimentation are also occurring on the fields in the watershed. Sediment deposition downstream in the Arkansas River is also raising the water table in some areas such as LaJunta. This has led to increased water problems in the city and less flood control capacity. Rural Water Problems The towns in the watershed obtain their water supply from deep wells. This is adequate for current needs and expansion is not presently anticipated. Deep percolation and natural occurring pollutants are lowering the water quality for drinking and future problems may occur in the more rural areas. Many of the farms are on a rural water supply system. Some farms not on the system as well as most livestock watering facilities are supplied from shallow wells and experience degrading water quality, therefore increasing the potential for future problems from nitrates, salts, trace elements, and heavy metals. Fish and Wildlife Habitat The major factors influencing environmental and fish and wildlife conditions in the watershed are land use, water quality and quantity. Past land use changes due to irrigation, in some cases have increased the food supply and cover for wildlife. No changes in land use in the future are anticipated. 22