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I I 0 C) I N ~ 0 ~ I I I I I I I I " I I I I I I I .. content has an adverse effect on crop production. The .disso1ved solids in the surface and groundwater used for public supplies in the area exceed the recommended standards for domestic consumption. Related Land Issues: Floods. Very intense c10udbusts occur over the Arkansas River watershed which leaves very few communities and agricultural acres free from flood damage to varying degrees. The Arkansas River and local tributaries have flooded the urban areas of Lamar, La Junta, and Las Animas. Farm lands along all streams are subject to inundation and the resultant loss of crops by erosion or deposi- tion of sil t on the lands. Bank erosion and gullying occurs along all streams. Roads, bridges and irrigation facilities are seriously damaged during these flood events. There is a need for flood protec- tion and flood prevention is needed in the area to reduce the damag- ing effect of the floods. Erosion and Sediment. Stream hank erosion and sediment over valuaDle croplana auring high streamflow and flood events are a serious problem. Bank erosion frequently threatens destruction of irrigation diversion headworks. Deposition of sediments in ir- rigation canals during floods prevent timely delivery of water to croplands. The high sediment loads carried by the Arkansas River during spring flood flows deposit in irrigation canals diverting river water and in reservoirs. Institutional Issues: The State of Colorado needs a strong land use policy regard- ing the transfer of irrigated land and water rights to other uses. The problem is not so serious in Parob1em Area No. 2 as in Problem Area No.1; however, it should be applicable to all of the State. The Arkansas River Compact between the State of.Co1orado and Kansas, and the United States for the operation of the John Martin Reservoir should be revised to permit better utilization of the water in the Arkansas River. The Compact stipulates in part that during the summer storage season (April 1 - October 31) water be- ing held in storage may be released upon demand by both States concurrently or separately in amounts dependent upon the magnitude of storage. With concurrent demand, Colorado is entitled to 60% of the release and Kansas 40%. The problem is that the need for irrigation water is not necessarily the same in the two states at the same time. Therefore, when one state demands release of water in storage, the other state also demands release of the storage water in order to be assured of its proportionate share of the water. 25