Colorado Water Conversation Board Division of Water Resources

Home Browse Search

1.3.1 South Platte River Compact of 1923 This Compact establishes Colorado and Nebraska's rights to use water from the South Platte River. Colorado has the right to fully use water from the South Platte River between October South 15th and April 1St every year. During the rest of 120 cubic feet per daily flow of (cfs) andhwater is Platte River at Julesburg, Colorado drops below needed for beneficial use in Nebraska, diversion by water rights in Colorado between the western boundary of Washington County and the State line (the "Lower Section ") with priorities junior to June 14, 1897 shall be curtailed (Colorado Revised Statutes 1990). 1.3.2 North Platte River Basin Decrees The decree in Nebraska v. Wyoming [325 U.S. 665 (1945) and 345 U.S. 981 (1953)] equitably apportion water in the North Platte River among Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming. In Colorado, these decrees limit: 1. Total irrigation in Jackson County to 145,000 acres 2. Storage for irrigation during any one irrigation season to 17,000 acre -feet 3. Total water exports from the North Platte River in Colorado to no more than 60,000 acre - feet per year on average during any 10 -year period The 1957 Substitute Decree in Wyoming v. Colorado [353 U.S. 953 (1957)] permits Colorado to divert from the Laramie River and its tributaries 49,375 acre -feet per year. The decree does not prejudice the right of either State to exercise the use of the waters of Sand Creek. This decree was a major departure from the original 1922 decree, and stipulated the following provisions: 1. No more than 19,875 acre -feet per year may be diverted by Colorado for use outside the Laramie River basin 2. No more than 29,500 acre -feet per year may be diverted by Colorado for use within the basin, of which not more than 1,800 acre -feet can be diverted after July 31St of each year 3. Any portion of the 19,875 acre -feet per year not diverted by Colorado for use outside the basin can be added to the 29,500 acre -feet per year permitted for use within the basin 4. All waters diverted by Colorado for use within the basin are restricted to irrigation use on lands designated by the court at the time of the decree 1.3.3 Endangered Species Issues One of the goals of the Endangered Species de end. of The presence conserve of threatened and endangered which endangered and threatened species p species in the North and South Platte River basins has impacted he habitats that the species management and development, because water related activities can affect 1 -6 p:data \gen\spdss \final report \chapter l.doc October 31, 2001