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.." .-, ..... ~1_'~ t"') ~ 'eO ,!c ". , DRAFT jurisdiction over water matters. Water clerks assist the water judges in their administrative and judicial functions. The judges also appoint referees whose primary functions are to investigate all facets of an application for water rights determination and has the authority and duty to rule upon the determination of water rights and conditional water rights. Protests of the referee's ruling will be heard by the water judge in accordance with trial practice and procedure. Appellate review of the judgment and decree of the water judge is allowed. Interstate Compacts While the State Constitution stipulates that the water of every natural stream is dedicated to the use of the people of the state, this provision is subject to decision of the U. S. Supreme Court which pro- vides for an equitable apportionment of the benefits arising from the waters of an interstate stream. Under these circumstances, Colorado may not use and control all of the water of the many streams originat- ing within its borders. There must be a division of the waters of all interstate streams; this division may be accomplished either by decree of the U. S. Supreme Court or by interstate compact consented to by the Congress. Colorado has by compact secured a definition of its rights to the use of water from the Colorado River and its tributary, the San Juan River. Colorado River Compact Waters of the Colorado River system were allocated by this compact to the Upper and Lower Basin states with Lee Ferry being made the division point. Each basin is granted the exclusive beneficial consumptive use of 7,500,000 acre-feet of water per -4-