WSP13027

• File Number: 8200.767
• Description: Little Snake River Management Project
• State: CO
• Author: CWCB
• Title: Little Snake River Water Management Project - Background ‎(part of a larger, undated document)‎
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Project Overview

Reservoir on Slater Creek and Three Forks Reservoir on the Little
Snake River. Pot Hook would be totally in Colorado while Three
Forks would have a majority of its surface area in Colorado.
Map 3 shows the location of these reservoirs.

There are six alternatives being investigated in this
study. Table 1 illustrates the various combinations and
summarizes other important facts including depletions.

-3-

Part III - The Upper Colorado River Compact

The Upper Colorado River Compact apportions the water of the
Colorado River Basin above Lee Ferry among the upper basin states
of Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona. The compact
is composed of 21 articles involving several topics. The two
most important articles concerning Colorado's interest in the
LSRWMP are IX and XI. The entire compact is attached as Appendix
A.

Article IX deals with the construction of storage reservoirs
in one state for the purpose of utilizing the stored water in
another state. In this case, wyoming is proposing to construct
Pot Hook and Three Forks Reservoirs in Colorado for the purpose
of supplementing their irrigation water and providing water for
industrial and municipal use. This is allowed under the compact,
but there are four conditions which must be met. They are
summarized below.

1. Wyoming's water rights are subject to the rights of
Colorado's water users.

2. Wyoming has the right to acquire land in Colorado for
this project by donation, purchase or through the
exercise of the power of eminent domain. The governor
of Wyoming can also request that the governor of
Colorado proceed expeditiously to acquire the desired
land through purchase or exercise of its power of
eminent domain. Upon Wyoming paying all acquisition
costs, Colorado would convey this land to Wyoming.

3. Wyoming would be required to follow Colorado's laws
concerning the construction, repair, replacement,
maintenance and operation of such storage facility.
The water administration shall be handled by Colorado
subject to the findings of the Upper Colorado River
Commission.

4. Wyoming would be required to make payments for loss of
taxes in such political subdivisions of the state, and
in lieu of any and all taxes on said property,
improvements and rights.

Article XI is concerned only with the waters of the Little
Snake River. This article has seven different sections (a-g).
Item "f" is particularly interesting. It states: