WSP11744

• File Number: 8111.805
• Description: Arkansas River Compact Administration - Keesee Ditch
• Basin: Arkansas
• Date: 1/1/1986
• Author: HRS Engineering
• Title: Keesee Ditch Change of Water Rights Vol 2 - Proposed Pan of Operation for Storage in John Martin Reservoir
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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JOHN MARTIN RESERVOIR OPERATION HISTORY

John Martin Reservoir was completed by the United States Army Corps
of Engineers in October 1948 as part of a comprehensive plan involving flood
control and conservation storage within the Arkansas River Basin. Administration
of the reservoir is governed under the conditions of the Arkansas River Compact
between the states of Colorado and Kansas which was signed into effect in
December 1948. A copy of the compact is included in Appendix A.

The purpose of the Arkansas River Compact was twofold: first, to settle
existing diS[lutes and remove causes of future controversy between Colorado
and Kansas concerning the Arkansas River; and second, to equitably divide between
Colorado and Kansas the water of the Arkansas River and the benefits arising
from the construction of John Martin Reservoir. These benefits were outlined
under specific rules and conditions contained in the compact which govern the
administration of John Martin Reservoir. A brief summary of these conditions
follows.

The compact allowed for the establishment of a Conservation Pool in John
Martin Reservoir. The Conservation Pool was to be operated for the benefit
of water users in Colorado and Kansas, both upstream and downstream of the
John Martin Dam. Water was to be stored in the Conservation Pool primarily
during the winter storage season, which began on November 1st of each year
and continued until the succeeding March 31st. With minor exceptions, all water
entering the reservoir during this period was to be stored in the Conservation
Pool. Beginning on April 1st of each year, the contents of the Conservation
Pool were to be released at a specified rate upon the demands of Colorado ditches
and the State of Kansas.

During the summer storage season, which was to commence on April 1st
and continue until October 31st, all inflows in excess of the current demands
for water (within a specified range of flows) were to accrue to the Conservation
Pool. Releases from the Conservation Pool would then be made at specified
rates according to the demands of Colorado and Kansas. Under conditions when
water was contained in the Conservation Pool, ditches in Colorado District 67
were precluded from placing a call on the river above John Martin Reservoir. After

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