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. Agenda Item 21 July 20-21, 2004 Board Meeting Page 2 00 LPWCD, in cooperation with the Animas-La Plata Water Conservancy District (ALPWCD) and the Bureau of Reclamation (BaR), developed a Water Management and Conservation Plan for Western La Plata County that was adopted in August 2000. This was done because it has become increasingly difficult for the limited water resources of the basin to meet the needs of existing agriculture, growing residential development, and satisJY deliveries to New Mexico under the La Plata River Compact. Specifically, it is very difficult to manage water deliveries to New Mexico because there is no regulating reservoir. The feasibility study is anticipated to support construction of an approximately 5,400 acre-foot reservoir on Long Hollow. A reservoir at this site was determined by the La Plata County Water Management Plan to be the best way to improve administration of the La Plata River, in accordance with the requirements of the La Plata River Compact and thereby make some additional water available to Colorado water users. Also, the proposed enlargement of the Red Mesa Ward Reservoir would provide added storage to benefit the upper basin and lands west of the La Plata River. The area that will benefit from these projects includes the whole La Plata River basin in Colorado (population approximately 4,000), and areas of the La Plata basin in New Mexico. Benefits would also accrue to the State of Colorado as a whole due to improved administration of the interstate compact that divides the waters of the La Plata River between Colorado and New Mexico. Improved administration will allow more of Colorado's water to be used within the state. Discussion Article II of the La Plata River Compact provides that: a. Between December 1st and February 15th, each state shall have the unrestricted right to use all the water within its boundaries. b. It also provides that on each day between February 15'h and December 1st when the mean daily flow at the Interstate Station is 100 cubic feet per second (cfs) or more each state shall have unrestricted use of all waters within its boundaries. c. On all other days between February 15'h and December 1st the state of Colorado shall deliver at the Interstate Station a quantity of water equivalent to one-half of the mean flow at the Hesperus Station for the preceding day, but not to exceed 100 cfs. Currently, flows measured at the Hesperus, Colorado gauge must travel approximately 31 river miles to the Interstate or Stateline gauge at the Colorado-New Mexico border. In many years, following spring runoff when the flows at Hesperus are reduced to 20 cfs or less, the arid climate, high summer temperatures, porous stream channel, and other natural conditions result in a dry riverbed. This condition can continue for extended periods of time along stream reaches that may extend for miles. The La Plata River, beginning near Breen, Colorado and continuing downstream to the Cherry Creek confluence, is the primary reach of the La Plata River that loses a significant amount of stream flow. This natural loss of La Plata River flow reduces the irrigation water supplies available to both Colorado and New Mexico water users. Flood Protection. Water Project Planning and Financing. Stream and Lake Prot~tion Water Supply Protection. Conservation Planning