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Long Hollow Reservoir <br />Feasibility Study <br />2.2 Project Purpose <br />The dual purposes of the LHR project are to: <br />1. Supplement the water supply to existing irrigated lands in Colorado. <br />2. Assist the State of Colorado in meeting its delivery obligations under the Compact, thus <br />decreasing the number, duration, and magnitude of valid Compact calls against existing <br />Colorado ditches. ~ <br />Article II of the Compact requires, in part, that: <br />a. East state shall have the unrestricted right to use all the water that may flow within its <br />boundaries between December 1 to February 15 and ori each day from February 15 to <br />December 1 when the mean daily flow at the Interstate Station is 100 cfs or more. <br />b. On all other days, the State of Colorado shall deliver at the Interstate Station a quantity of <br />water equivalent to one-half of the mean flow at the Hesperus Station for the preceding <br />day, but not to exceed 100 cfs. <br />Currently, flows measured at the Hesperus, Colorado gauge must travel approximately 31 river <br />miles to the state line gauge at the Colorado/New Mexico border. In many other yeaxs, following <br />spring runoff, the arid climate, high summer temperatures, and other natural conditions create a <br />dry riverbed. This dry riverbed can continue for periods of time along stream reaches that may <br />extend for miles. 'The reach of the La Plata River, beginning near Breen, Colorado and <br />continuing downstream to its confluenee with Cherry Creek, is the primary reach that loses a <br />significant amount of stream flow, particularly during low-flow periods of the year. This natural <br />loss of La Plata River flow reduces the inigation water supplies available to both Colorado and <br />New Mexico water users. <br />Low flows at Hesperus and the losing nature of the La Plata streambed present a significant <br />Compact administrative challenge to Colorado. When the streambed becomes dry near Breen, La <br />Plata River flows are separated into upper and lower streams and the river is administered as a <br />991-077.120 Wright Water Engineers, Inc. Page 8 <br />April 2005 <br />