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j- Average flows for the two rivers reflect that the historic mean flow is tdemonstrative of the fact that neither carries large flows on the average and that the large majority otlfthe flows occur in the spring months of May through July. The rest of the year the flows are near base!,flow conditions except for the runoff from the occasional rainfall event during the summer and fall. The!inean flow for the Rio Grande near Del Norte gage is 907 cfs, for the Conejos near Mogote is 331 cfs, for~he Los Pinos near Ortiz is 121 cfs, and for the San Antonio near Ortiz is 26 cfs. Base flows on the fouri):ivers would be approximately 400 cfs, 150 cfs, 40 cfs, and 10 cfs respectively. " These statistics and the graphs "Rio Grande River near Del Norte, co t CY=1996" and "Rio Grande River near Del Norte, CO - CY=1997" are provided to illustrate the largeivariability in the hydrology of the Upper Rio Grande Basin in Colorado and provide the setting in which t~e Compact in Colorado has to be administered. This variability creates a difficult challenge to the managefs of the diversion systems and especially to those responsible for ensuring that Colorado meets her Comnact obligation to deliver water to the downstream States. The constantly moving target therefore d~inands that the Compact be administered on a daily basis. The staff involved in this effort must be aWle to readily analyze the past, current, and future conditions of stream flows of the calendar year. Real-ti~e data, calendar year flows to date and good historic streamflow data are all required to calculate what m1fst be done to stay current with deliveries. The challenge then is to use that knowledge to administer thej,priority system on both river systems while concurrently bypassing the proper amount of flow to the ~tateline to meet the required delivery for Compact purposes. It is imperative to water right owners as /.veil as the water managers to ensure that Colorado is able to utilize her full entitlement allowed under t~e Compact while meeting her obligation. As conditions change during the year, they must be recog~zed in a timely manner and adjustments made to the administration of the river to accomplish those tw~goals. Tools There are a number of tools that the State of Colorado uses to effectiveiJy administer the Rio Grande Compact. These include legal, physical and political tools that are used to d~termine the necessary actions that need to take place to meet Colorado's obligation to the Lobatos gage. j Legal Tools: .' Doctrine of Prior appropriation system contemplated by th~:Constitution Case Law that reinforces and refines the Doctrine ., tIistoric and current adjudication process 1969 Water Right Detennination and Administration Act , Rules and Regulations governing Rio Grande Compact Adrhinistration Physical Tools: Extensive stream gage network State Hydrographic Program Satellite Monitoring System on stream gages and major div~rsions Spreadsheets for water accounting' 10- Day reporting NRCS monthly forecasts Communication protocol with National Weather Service Closed Basin Project Political Tools: Active Water User Associations Water Conservation and Water Conservancy Districts Continuing education programs to inform users and public '