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<br />Mr. Hinder1ider: I am very glad to be here today for two reaSOns:
<br />First, in my official capacity, to lend what assistance I may to you in this
<br />investigation and, second, because of my past experience as State Engineer
<br />of Colorado I have had very fine contacts with brother members of yours,
<br />Coloncl - Colonel Reibo1t, Colonel Wilby and others,
<br />The year 1931, I believe, resM1te~ in the most comprehensive study of
<br />water supply and uses of any investigation ever conducted in the state,
<br />until the recent investigation of the Rio Grande and the joint investi~
<br />gation in 1936 of this basin, which was conducted under the auspices of the
<br />National Resources Committee. You are familiar with that history and
<br />with what was accomplished. As you all know, that investigation was the
<br />result, really, of the mandate of President Roosevelt which required that
<br />no furthor approval by any Federal approving agency should be made for
<br />water conservati~n projects in the Rio Grande basin until the National
<br />Resources Committee had had a chance to report to him on all reservoir sites
<br />concerned, and the use of water in this basin above Fort lVhitman, Texas!
<br />As you may also know, the three Statesof Colorado, New Mexico and Texas
<br />have been at odds over these waters for 40 years.. In 1929 a temporary
<br />compact was entered into, to expire in 5 years; later it was renevrod by
<br />the Legislatures for another period of three years and again for a period
<br />of one year. In the meantime this investigation was started by the
<br />National Resources Committee and carried out in 1936 and 1937, and upon
<br />the findings of that investigation a compact was entered into on March
<br />18th last between the three States. I had the honor of being one of the'
<br />Rio Grande Interstate River Commissioners for the past five ye~rs. Now,
<br />as state Engineer under the law I have charge of all the hydrographic
<br />investigations in Colorado, and more recently we are maintaining something
<br />like 300 river gaging stations in this State, which have automatic recording
<br />devices& I am also charge~ with thendministration of all the degree of
<br />water supply and the construction, operation and maintenance of reservoirs
<br />and dams more than 10' in 4eight. We have eleven hundred of them. I
<br />mention those things to indicate our interest in the very important matter
<br />which you are considering today. I am sorry to state that I do not
<br />personally have detailed knowledge and information concerning the magnitude
<br />of floods in this valley; I have only a general knovl1edge as a result of
<br />my official dutie's.. The law does not impose any duties with respect to .
<br />drainage district&. I do knon, however., that there have been recurring
<br />years of floods from the Rio Grande and Conejos rivers and their tributaries~
<br />which have caused a great deal of damage ,to the water users in the way of
<br />destruction of diversion dams and hearnvorks and to other structures~ I
<br />have personal knowledge of the extensive floods which have flooded the City
<br />of A1amosa, and smaller damages t.o other connnunities. I have a knowledge
<br />of material damages from the destruo.tion of crops in the 10w1ying lands
<br />near the streams; of damages to highways and railways. I have no personal
<br />knowledge of the details of damages, but just a general knowledge.
<br />Wo think this is one of the most productive valleys in Colorado and I believe
<br />the records will bear out my statement. Our people here in the valley have
<br />worked hard for years to get this river regulated, as well as the Conejos
<br />River, in the interest of irrigation, We, at this time, have a compaot in
<br />a tentative form, which does not become'effective until the Legislatures of
<br />the three States have ratified it and until it has been ratified by the
<br />Congress. We hope.that will be'acoomplished by next summer when we hope
<br />the way ,vi11 be cleared for the construction of these control works which
<br />we have planned.
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