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<br />. <br /> <br />: OOO:J45 <br /> <br />. <br />i.' I' <br /> <br />" <br /> <br />Page 3 <br />JanuaryB,1974 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br />\ <br /> <br />ISSUE NO. B <br /> <br />Should surface streams which are north of the "Hydraulic Divide" be <br />administered in a common priority list with the Rio Grande system? <br /> <br />Y1:S <br /> <br />1. Streams north of the "Hydraulic Divide" generally <br />originate in the encircling mountain areas and are tributary to the <br />confined (artesian) aquifer which is, in turn, tributary to the sur- <br />face stream system. <br /> <br />NO <br /> <br />1. Although these streams are the sources of recharge to the <br />confined aquifer, the surface water in the stream, if diversions were <br />shut off would flow into the Closed Basin and even to the sump area. <br />Evaporation and non-beneficial consumptive use would waste this <br />water. <br /> <br />2. By permitting diversions and irrigation above the blue <br />clay layer, the recharge to the confined aquifer is increased. <br /> <br />3. Irrigation from the surface stream below the edge of the <br />blue clay is put to a beneficial use whereby permitting it to proceed <br />to the sump area would amount to a waste of water. <br /> <br />STATE ENGINEER'S POSITION <br /> <br />The peripheral streams encircling the Closed Basin north of the <br />"Hydraulic Divide" should not be administered in a single priority system <br />with the surface stream system if it would constitute a waste of water. Each <br />individual stream should be analyzed individually to ascertain whether or not <br />such administration with the surface stream system of the Rio Grande would <br />constitute waste or non-beneficial use of water. <br />