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LA PLATA RIVER COMPACT <br />November 27, 1922 <br />Signatory States: Colorado and New Mexico <br />Colorado Commissioner: State Engineer <br />Major Purposes: <br />1. Equitable distribution of the waters of the La Plata River (Preamble) <br />2. Remove causes of present and future controversy (Preamble) <br />3. Promote interstate comity (Preamble} <br />Important Provisions: <br />1. State of Colorado shall at her own expense operate two gaging stations on the La Plata River; <br />one being the Hesperus station and one being the interstate station at ar near the state line. <br />(Art. I) <br />2. Flow at the Hesperus station means the river flow at that station plus the amount of <br />concurrent diversions above that station. (Art. I) <br />3. Flow at the interstate station means the river flow at that station plus one-half of the <br />concurrent diversions of the Enterprise and Pioneer Canals, plus any other diversion in <br />Colorado for use in New Mexico. (Art. I} <br />4. Both gages will be operated between February 15 and December 1. (Art. I) <br />5. Between December 1 and February 15, each state has unrestricted use of all water within its <br />boundaries. (Art.II) <br />6. Between February 15 and December 1, the water shall be apportioned as follows: <br />a. Each state has unrestricted use on those days where the interstate station has a <br />mean daily flow of 100 cfs or more. (Art. II) <br />b. On al] other days, Colorado must deliver to the interstate station half of the <br />mean flow at Hesperus for the preceding day, but not more than 100 cfs. <br />(Art. II) <br />7. Whenever the flow is so low that the state engineers of each state agree that greater beneficial <br />use can be obtained, the water can be distributed to each state successively in alternate <br />periods in lieu of the schedule set in (6) above. (Arte II) <br />8. Substantial delivery of water in accordance with the Compact is deemed a compliance, and <br />minor irregularities shall be disregarded. (Art. II) <br />9. Compact can be modified ar terminated by mutual consent of the signatory states. <br />