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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I storage of winter flows and the release early in the spring and late in the summer would result in far greater benefits than the present practice of winter irrigation. We have concluded from our initial phases of the investigation that: 1. Well pumpage in the Arkansas River Valley has materially affected senior direct flow and storage rights in an adverse manner. 2. Except for rare instances, the water supply of the Arkansas River Basin is so inadequate that all wells, with the exception of a few below Lamar, could be shut off under authority granted under H. B. l066 of the 45th General Assembly. Even if this were done, there would not be a suf- ficient supply to satisfy the existing senior surface rights. This conclusion is supported by the fact that John Martin Reservoir did not spill at any time during the period from 1943 when storage commenced until the floods of 1965. After Pueblo Reservoir, which is a component part of the Frying Pan Arkansas Project, is constructed, even greater water control will be provided. 3. The greatest and best use of the water resources of the Basin will require the integrated use of the surface and ground water supply because of the maldistribution of surface runoff, the inadequate water supply and the present method of irrigation. -6- POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS OF THE PROBLEM Any solution of the problem is quite complicated by the many factors involved and their interrelationship. Unlike the South Platte River Basin, the surplus water which may be developed is very I imited and is from ground water below John MartIn Reservoir. Another less favorable factor than that found in the South Platte River Basin is the limited extent of the aquifer which restricts the use of storage and recharge. To better understand the magnitude of the variables in an overall basin study of this kind, some are enumerated below: 1. Extreme variations in surface.water supply.