LPPD000265

• Contract/PO #: C153756
• Contractor Name: Lower Arkansas Water Management Association
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 67
• County: Prowers
• Bill Number: SB 96-124
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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then becomes surface water rights subject to surface water laws and
regulations.

Purpose and Operation of LA WMA
LA WMA is an organization of various groundwater users in the Lower Arkansas Valley
of Colorado. The organization insures that its members meet requirements of Colorado
senior water rights and the Colorado/Kansas Compact by securing surface water rights, or
"replacement water", in order to offset the depletion to Arkansas River flow caused by
groundwater pmnping. LA WMA is a non-profit organization that serves the following
fimctions:

· Serves as a liaison between water users and the Colorado State Engineer by
submitting a water plan (Rille 14 plan) indicating the association's compliance
with mandated water balances;

· Monitors groundwater pmnping and the associated depletion by its members;

· Insures compliance with the water plan by members;

· Purchases and retires surface water rights on behalf of its members to offset
depletions;

· Engages in water transactions (i.e., releases from John Martin Reservoir) to meet
plan requirements; and

· Encourages conservation and efficient water use by its members.

LA WMA has enough surface water rights in a "replacement pool" (approximately 21,000
acre-feet (at)) to meet depletions under average flow conditions. Under sustained drought
conditions, the ability of LA WMA to fulfill its obligations becomes more problematic:

I. Fanners who have supplemental wells will want to pump more because their
surface water supplies will be diminished;

2. The replacement pool will be diminished because some of its rights are junior;
and

3. LA WMA' s Article II Account water held in J OM Martin Reservoir (JMR) is
limited.

Under drought conditions LA WMA will need to acquire additional supplies on the spot
market (subject to availability) or initiate curtailment. Although LA WMA will attempt to
attain spot market water, several issues need to be resolved before such a drought crisis
actually occurs. For example, how will LA WMA:

EnWater Resource Consultants September 5, 1997 Final Report

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