WSP12980

• File Number: 8210.140.20.C
• Description: Imperial Irrigation District ‎(IID)‎
• State: CA
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 1/9/1996
• Author: Imperial Irrigation District
• Title: Water Requirements and Availability Sutdy ‎(draft)‎
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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through a Presidential Proclamation, this act resulted in the ratification of the Compact by six of
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the basin states (excluding Arizona) and also required California to limit its annual consumptive
use to 4.4 million acre-feet of the lower basin's apportionment, plus not less than half of any
excess or surplus water unapportioned by the Compact. California abided by this federal
mandate through the implementation of its 1929 Limitation Act. The Boulder Canyon Project
Act moreover authorized the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to "contract for the storage of
water. . . and for the delivery thereof. . . for irrigation and domestic uses", and further defined
the lower basin's apportionment split by allocating 0.3 million acre-feet of water to Nevada and
2.8 million acre-feet of water to Arizona. While the three states never formally accepted or
agreed to these terms, a 1964 Supreme Court decision (Arizona vs. California, 373 US. 546)
declared their consent to be inconsequential since the Boulder Canyon Project Act was
authorized by the Secretary.

Following the implementation of the Boulder Canyon Project Act, the Secretary requested
California to make recommendations regarding the distribution of its allocation of Colorado
River water. In August of 1931, under the direction of the Chairmanship of the State Engineer,
the California Seven-Party Agreement was developed and authorized by the affected parties in
order to prioritize California water rights. The Secretary accepted this recommendation
agreement and established these priorities (as shown in Table n.D-l) through General
Regulations issued in September of 1931. The first four priority allocations account for
California's 4.4 million acre-feet allotment, with agricultural entities utilizing 3.85 million acre-
feet of that total. The remaining priorities are defined for years in which the Secretary declares
that excess waters are available. Finally, it should also be noted that a 1944 treaty entitles
Mexico to an annual apportionment of 1.5 million acre-feet of Colorado River water.

On December 1, 1932, the Secretary, acting on behalf of the United States, executed a contract
with nD to deliver Colorado River water "as ordered by the District and as reasonably required
for potable and irrigation purposes within the boundaries of the District in the Imperial and
Coachella Valleys in California" (Article 17). At this time, it was thought that the lands to be
served in Coachella Valley would become annexed to lID. However, a 1934 Compromise

Draft: Subject To Revision 12/21/95

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