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<br />United States Geological Survey has continued the
<br />operation of the compact gaging stations and the analysis
<br />and compilation of the hydrologic data presented in this
<br />report and used in the administration of the Compact. The
<br />Corps of Engineers continued to operate the conservation
<br />pool of John Martin Reservoir in accordance with the terms
<br />of the Compact and the orders of the Administration.
<br />8. Water Supply, Reservoir Operation, and Hydrologic Data
<br />The river flow into John Martin Reservoir during compact year
<br />1973 amounted to 145,200 acre-feet, which was less than the compact
<br />year 1949-73 average of 174,761 acre-feet. River flow during the winter
<br />storage season, November 1. 1972, through March 31, 1973, was
<br />16,800 acre-feet, and during the summer storage, April 1. 1973,
<br />through October 31, 1973, it was 128.400 acre-feet. Ditch diversions
<br />during compact year 1973 in Colorado Water District 67 were 159,400
<br />acre-feet, which were near the compact year 1949-73 average of
<br />160,600 acre-feet. Ditch diversions in Kansas during the same period
<br />amounted to 69,600 acre-feet.
<br />At the beginning of the winter storage season John Martin
<br />Reservoir was empty, and the reservoir regulating gates were closed for
<br />storage. Colorado irrigators did not make demands for release of river
<br />flow during the entire winter storage season; however, the storage
<br />accrued in John Martin Reservoir at the end of this period amounted to
<br />only 24.090 acre-feet.
<br />Rains and snows early in the summer storage period satisfied the
<br />irrigation requirements in both Colorado and Kansas so releases from
<br />John Martin Reservoir were not required until May 7. 1973.
<br />Conservation storage more than doubled during this period and reached
<br />a peak of 55,671 acre-feet on May 15, 1973. On May 7, 1973, Colorado
<br />began demands for release of reservoir water, and these demands
<br />continued until the reservoir was emptied on June 25,1973. Colorado
<br />did not demand release of river flow concurrently with the release of
<br />reservoir water. On May 16. 1973, Kansas made demands. which
<br />continued until the reservoir was emptied, for release of reservoir water.
<br />Small freshets occurred on July 21. 1973, and July 30-31,1973, that
<br />justified closing of the reservoir gates for storage and regulation and
<br />that provided small amounts of reservoir water for irrigators in
<br />Colorado and Kansas. John Martin Reservoir was empty at midnight on
<br />October 31. 1973.
<br />Colorado demands for reservoir water, Kansas demands, and the
<br />corresponding stateline flow during compact year 1973 are shown in
<br />the following tabulation in acre-feet. The tabulation shows that
<br />Colorado demands amounted to 53.490 acre.feet.
<br />
<br />Demand Colorado Kansas Stateline
<br />period demands demands flow
<br />May 16-June 26 45,] 35 32,833 34,000
<br />July 21-26 4,466 4.164 3,990
<br />August 14 3,889 2,776 3,330
<br />Total 53,490 39,773 41,320
<br />
<br />Kansas demands, which totaled 39,773 acre-feet, were met during
<br />the periods of May 16-June 26 and August 1-4, but the demands of
<br />July 21-26.were not quite satisfied. The total of stateline flow during
<br />these periods is slightly larger than the total of Kansas demands.'
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