Colorado State Water Plan 1974 (Phase II)

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State Water Laws, Policies, and Administration If, in the opinion of the respective state engineers, the greatest beneficial use of water at periods of low flow can be accomplished by alternating the use of the entire flow, the water may also be rotated. South Platte River Compact, 1923 Division of the waters of the South Platte River is accomplished by this compact between Colorado and Nebraska, with consent of the United States Congress. From the 15th day of October until April 1, Colorado has full use of the water of the South Platte River within the boundaries of the State except that Nebraska is entitled to divert surplus waters if the proposed Perkins County Canal is constructed. From the first day of April to the 15th day of October, if the mean flow at the interstate station is less than 120 cubic feet per second, Colorado shall not permit diversions from the lower section of the river to supply appropriators with dates of priority subsequent to June 14, 1897. Rio Grande Compact, 1938 This compact entered into by the States of Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas, with consent of the United States Congress apportions the waters of the Rio Grande Basin. Colorado's commitment to deliver water at the New Mexico state line is based on runoff measured at four index stations located in the head- waters area. The compact provides schedules of required deliveries, for accrual of debits and credits in deliveries and control of storage under certain circum- stances. Project storage is the combined capacity of Elephant Butte and Caballo Reservoirs. In the event that works are constructed after 1937 for the purpose of delivering water into the Rio Grande from the Closed Basin, Colorado shall not be credited with the amount of such water delivered, unless the proportion of sodium ions shall be less than 45 percent of the total positive ions in that water when the total dissolved solids in such waters exceeds 350 parts per million. 2.16