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<br />D R AFT <br /> <br />SECTION I - WATER NEED <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />The water supply of the Colorado River should be augmented within the <br />next two decades or shortages and increased salinity will likely <br />begin to occur. Although overall water use has been developing more <br />slowly than anticipated and the large volumes now in reservoir <br />storage may lessen the immediate need for basinwide augmentation, the <br />fact remains that eventually the water supply to the Central Arizona <br />Project and other projects will be significantly reduced, especially <br />in drought periods, unless continuing augmentation becomes a reality. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />Foreseeable future water needs from the Colorado River may exceed <br />the natural flow by several million acre-feet annually. Growing <br />water needs are associated with (a) rapidly expanding population and <br />industry in the region; (b) new energy-related developments; (c) 1944 <br />Water Treaty with Mexico; (d) salinity and other water quality <br />problems; (e) reservoir level and streamflow maintenance for desired <br />environmental, wildlife, and recreational benefits; and (f) new water <br />projects being constructed, especially the Central Arizona Project <br />scheduled for completion in the late 1980's. The Indian water rights <br />issue could also place additional demands on the Basin's water <br />supply. Even with comprehensive planning and strict conservation and <br />water management, the natural supply cannot be stretched to fully <br />meet all the competing needs. <br /> <br />6 <br />