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Long Hollow Dam and Reservoir Phase I Summary Report <br /> This natural loss of La Plata River flow reduces the irrigation water supplies available to both <br /> Colorado and 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 /> split river. Split river conditions occurred in 13 years of the 14-year LHR study period from WY <br /> 1989 through WY 2002. Flows in the lower river were sufficient during some periods, but too <br /> low during other periods to deliver to New Mexico one-half of the La Plata River flow at <br /> Hesperus. <br /> During periods of minimal stream flow, when the measured stream flow at the Hesperus gauging <br /> station is insufficient (approximately 25 cfs or less) to cause one-half of the flow to reach the <br /> state line (a "futile call"), ditches in Colorado that are upstream of the dry reach of the river may <br /> divert water in-priority for beneficial irrigation use. Curtailment of these ditches during a futile <br /> call would prevent crop irrigation while attempting to deliver water through an extended dry <br /> streambed. This action would contradict a primary Compact purpose, to maximize the beneficial <br /> use of water in an equitable manner. LHR would provide water, stored in-priority, to seek to <br /> improve Compact deliveries to New Mexico through an efficient delivery system that would <br /> circumvent the dry reach of the La Plata River. LHR would improve not only Compact <br /> administration but also Colorado water rights administration, while providing additional water to <br /> existing partially irrigated land in Colorado. <br /> 1.5 Water Rights <br /> LPWCD has two decrees for LHR water storage rights. The original decree in Case No. <br /> 94CW74 is for 1,200 AF. The enlargement decree, now being finalized with Division 7 <br /> Engineer Ken Beegles in Case No. 00CW49, is for a total capacity of 5,400 and at least one refill. <br /> A verbal agreement has been reached with the one objector in the case. The beneficial uses for <br /> LHR water are irrigation, domestic, exchange, augmentation, recreation, fish and wildlife, <br /> 991-077.115 Wright Water Engineers, Inc. Page 4 <br /> July 2004 <br />