WSP13055

• File Number: 8040.200
• Description: Energy
• State: CO
• Date: 2/1/1982
• Author: Musick and Cope
• Title: Briefing Paper on Critical Water Supply Variables for Energy Development in the Upper Colorado River Basin
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

, ...

f. Assumptions Made by tbe Recent Studies

Each of the recent water supply studies draw
their conclusions primarily in terms of the resolution of
compact issues presented in Part B of the above table. That
is, the Upper Basin is held to Article III(d) despite the
mutual mistake on virgin flowSi is stuck with one half of the
Mexico Burden, even if Lower Basin consumption exceeds its
entitlementi but the Upper Basin is not required to make up
for delivery losses between Lee Ferry and the Mexico border.
Each of these studies, however, recognize the volatile nature
of these assumptions and qualify their conclusions accor-
dingly. In analyzing the configuration of assumptions shown
in Part B above, the Colorado DNR, for example, is very care-
ful to point out that these assumptions were made only for
the purpose of analysis and that they do not represent the
official position of any Colorado River Basin state or of the
federal government.

3. Curtailment of the Lower Basin Under the 1968
Colorado River Basin Project Act

a. Congressional Recognition of Basin-wide
Deficiencies

In 1968, the u.s. Congress openly recognized
that the virgin yield of the Colorado River was insufficient
to meet basin-wide demands, and that any significant increase
in the use of Colorado River mainstem flows by the Lower
Basin could infringe on projected water demands in the Upper
Basin:

All of the studies indicate the presence
of a serious water deficiency in the
Lower Basin of the Colorado Riveri in
fact, they show that a real crisis is
being faced by Arizona, southern
California, and Nevada. Even in the
Upper Basin the remaining Colorado River
water is fast being exhausted as devel-
opment goes forward.

All of the studies show conclusively that
any large increase in use of water in the
Lower Basin must, even now, be supplied
in part from water apportioned by the
Colorado River Compact to the Upper Basin
states but presently unused by them. As
the Upper Basin states progress with
their development, the amount of unused
water wil1 diminish until ultimately no
surplus Upper Basin water will be
available for use in the Lower Basin.

..=::. ..
. ' ~

-16-