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Interstate Compact Administration <br />Use of water rights on Costilla Creek within District 24 is effected by requirements set forth <br />under of the Costilla Creek Compact. The Compact defines specific water delivery requirements <br />that must be made to Colorado water users off of Costilla Creek. The delivery requirements are <br />a function of flow levels in Costilla Creek. <br />Day-to-day administration of the Costilla Creek Compact is accomplished by a Water Master that <br />is funded equally by both New Mexico and Colorado. The current Water Master is Mr. Bobby <br />Tribble. Mr. Tribble's responsibilities include ensuring that delivery requirements are met to <br />water users in Colorado at the state line at three points and at the Eastdale Reservoir No. l intake. <br />The District 24 Commissioner works with Mr. Tribble to ensure that the interests of Colorado <br />water users are protected. Water deliveries to Colorado water users are recorded and this <br />information is provided to Division 3 and incorporated into the State's database. The Costilla <br />Creek Compact is provided as Attachment 4. <br />Swing ("calling") Rights <br />The daily administration of water rights in District 24 is routinely effected by several calling <br />priorities. These calling priorities (or "swing rights") differ depending on the flow levels Culebra <br />Creek and its tributaries. In general, major calls occur where major decrees come on line. For <br />Culebra Creek and its tributaries, significant swing rights include the San Acacio Ditch (46 cfs) <br />on the lower reach, and the San Pedro Ditch (19.5 cfs) and the Cerro Ditch (40 cfs) on the upper <br />reach. <br />Interaction with Water Users <br />As previously described, Commissioner interaction with water users is frequent, and discussions <br />with owners of the larger ditch systems typically occur on a daily basis. These discussions often <br />address River flow rates, the Compact curtailment status, calling water rights. The <br />Commissioners appear to have developed excellent relationships with most water users on the <br />River and discussions are informal, friendly and cooperative. The Commissioners frequently <br />attend water user meetings and discussion groups. <br />Irrigation Techniques in the District <br />The majority of irrigation in District 24 occurs using flood irrigation and flood border techniques <br />There are few sprinkler systems (center pivots) in the District. The efficiency of the flood <br />techniques that are used tend to be fairly low, although to some degree the losses that are <br />experienced serve to raise the water table, thereby providing asub-irrigation supply. <br />Cropping in the District <br />Cropping in District 24 consists of a mix of field crops including alfalfa, pasture hay and small <br />grains. <br />Return Flows <br />Return flows from irrigation in District 24 occur by way of both the surface and groundwater. <br />These returns plan an important role in the day-to-day water rights administration, and are relied <br />C:Acdss\D24 Mem.doc District 24 Interview July 2, 1999 -Page 6 of 7 <br />