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<br />00\)732 <br /> <br />Although the Upper Basin States were apportioned 7.5 <br />maf a year, the Bureau estimates for planning purposes that <br />these States will only be able to consunptively use a maximum <br />of 5.8 maf annually sometime after 2030 because this is the <br />estimated amount remaining when the downstream commitments <br />are made. The Bure.au considered a number of factors in <br />arriving at the 5.8 maf estimate including: <br /> <br />--The average annual flow would be 14.8 maf. <br /> <br />--At least 8.25 maf of water a year will be delivered <br />to the Lower Basin. This amount includes the Lower <br />Basin's annual allotment of 7.5 maf, plus .75 maf <br />to meet one-half of the 1.5 maf water commitment to <br />Mexico. <br /> <br />--The reservoirs will be operated so that storage <br />levels do not fall below the minimum power pool. 11 <br /> <br />A major dispute exists between the Upper and Lower <br />Basins over supplying the 1.5 maf commitment to Mexico. The <br />Colorado River Compact states that any required delivery of <br />water to Mexico shall be supplied first from water surplus to <br />the basic apportionment from the Colorado River system (7.5 <br />maf to the Upper Basin, 8.5 maf to the Lower Basin) and if <br />the surplus is insufficient, the burden of such deficiency <br />shall be borne equally by the two basins. <br /> <br />r <br />I <br /> <br />The Lower Basin States contend that there is no surplus <br />and the Upper Basin's share of the Mexican treaty delivery <br />ofigation is one-half of the total obligation of 1.5 maf <br />plus one-half of the losses incurred in delivering the water <br />from Lee Ferry to the Mexican border. The Upper Basin States <br />believe that surplus water exists in the Lower Basin and <br />therefore they are not required to release any water to neet <br />the Mexican treaty Obligation. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />The Bureau has stated that the annual release of .75 <br />maf in addition to the required 7.5 maf is not meant in any <br />way to prejudice the position of either the Upper or Lower <br />Basin interests with respect to required deliveries at Lee <br />Ferry pursuant to the "Law of the River." However, until <br />this is settled otherwise the use of .75 maf as a depletion <br />charge to the Upper Basin is strictly for planning purposes <br />to ensure that projects are designed and operated on the <br />basis of the best possible firm yields of the Colorado River. <br /> <br />liThe lowest level of reservoir water storage at which <br />power can be generated. <br /> <br />10 <br />