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<br />. <br /> <br />." ~ <br /> <br />The appropriative water law system was established in Colorado to provide <br />an eoquitable system of allocating the state's water supply in a consistent <br />and stable ~anner to those who were willing to develop its resources. Enter~ <br />prising individuals or groups needed to be assured of receiving a dependable <br />water supply year after year before investing their time and ~oney. Assuring <br />a dependable supply was far more important than its effiCiency of use. <br />Appropriative water rights established in this manner are generally in excess <br />of the actual water need. Once a water right is established, there is very <br />little economic motivation to attain maximum efficiency of use. Cost is only <br />associated with the developlllent and delivery of the water. The water itself' <br />is free. <br />Many of the National Water Commission's recommendations (see page 9) on <br />water law have already been implemented in Colorado. Two of these recommenda- <br />tions, however, need further consideration. Both are intended to increase <br />the efficiency of water use. First, withdrawal charges based on volumetric <br />units could be imposed on water diverted from surface and ground water <br />sources. Second, the state could more strictly enforce the beneficial use <br />provision by converting flow rights to a volumetric system based on actual <br />need. If the cost of water is increased,' more efficient uses will be made <br />of it in order to produce maximum economic returns. Inefficient uses will be <br />reduced, thereby freeing water for other more beneficial uses. <br />CONCLUSIONS <br />Water supplies in the South Platte River basin will be inadequate to meet <br />proJected delll&llds of contending water users. The developllent of a basin plan <br />for better utilization of available water is necessary if all demands are to <br />be satisfied. Under current management practices, water goes to the user who <br />is willing to pay the most. Continuationoof this practice would likely lead <br />30 <br /> <br />( <br />