WSP12615

• File Number: 8220.125.A
• Description: Colorado River Basin Water Projects - San Juan-Chama - New Mexico - Project Description
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 6/12/1975
• Author: S E Reynolds
• Title: Statement on the Operation of the San Juan-Chama Project - Colorado-New Mexico - and the Related Impacts in the San Juan River Basin - S E Reynolds - New Mexico State Engineer - 06-12-75
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

, "

.'

0019~4

supply contracts, or proposed for other uses supported by the state.

In an unusual, if not unique, provision the law authorizing

the San Juan-Chama and Navajo Projects in 1962 (PL 87-483) pro-

hibits the Secretary of the Interior from entering any contract

for water from Navajo Reservoir for municipal and industrial

purposes until the Secretary has determined by hydrologic investi-

gation that sufficient water is available in New Mexico's alloca-

cation to fulfill the contract and until the Congress has approved

the contract.

At the insistence of the state, the Secretary of the Interior

directed an hydrologic investigation which was reported to the

Assistant Secretary by the Commissioner of Reclamation on November

26, 1963 and approved by the Assistant Secretary on December 5, 19'63.

On the basis of this investigation the Secretary on November 21,

1967 transmitted to the Congress his determination that there is

available under the Secretary's rights in the San Juan River

system in New Mexico sufficient water for contracts allowing a

depletion of 100,000 acre-feet annually provided that the terms

of the contracts are limited to the year 2005. The most difficult

. problem confronting the Secretary in this investigation was a

determination of what part, if any, of the 1944 Mexican Treaty

obligation would have to be met by releases from the Upper Basin

in excess of the 75 maf in each period of ten consecutive years

required by Article III (d) of the 1922 Compact.

The Secretary's determination was able to avoid, or at least

defer, an interpretation of the provisions of the Compact dealing

with the Mexican Treaty obligation. This was done on the basis

of projections of future development in the Upper Basin that

-15-