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<br />j, <br /> <br />000393 <br /> <br />That sarne year the La Plata River Compact between Colorado and New Mexico was ne- <br />gbtiated. At present no works have been constructed under the terms of this compact, <br />but the most efficient uses of the water supplies for the benefit of the two states <br />results because those uses are being administered in accordance with the provisions <br />of the compact. <br /> <br />A compact was negotiated in 1925 between Colorado and Nebraska with <br />respect to the uses of the waters of the South Platte River. This is largely a self <br /> <br />~dmiui~t~ating compact. <br /> <br />",_ ..~_~1._ l.._..._ \...___ ......................__... +,.. ....p9......+,..~+1'>. -i.+-c +O'I'"WICl'_ <br />nv "v... n.~ !!o,vv ....;;;....4! u.....""'-.;;................ J ........ .......4......................... -....... ........~.._. <br /> <br />Directly after the negotiation of the Colorado River Compact, studies <br />were commenced to gather information to enable the states of New Nexico, Colorado, <br />and Texas to negotiate a compact on the upper Rio Grande. A temporary five year <br />~0mpact, which in effect provided for maintaining ehe status quo on the river until <br />certain things could be done, became effective in 1929. Before its expiration, the <br />f'tates extended it for another five years. In the meantime, Texas had started a <br />'"'. t against NeVI Nexico in the United States Supreme Court alleeing, among other <br />t~ings, non-compliance ,vith the provisions of the compact because of the construction <br />and operation of El Vado reservoir as a part of the Middle Rio Grande Project. <br />Finally, in 1937 and 1938, a permanent compact Vias negotiated which became effective <br />in 1939. During the period \/hen the compact ViaS being negotiated hearings in the <br />Texas versus New nexico suit .Iere held in abeyance. When the compact became effec- <br />tive, the suit was dismissed. The terms of the compact are such that dams for <br />storage reservoirs can be constructed above Elephant Butte reservoir. Immediately <br />after the compact became effective, the San Luis Valley Project was authorized which <br />provides for the construction of one or more reservoirs on the Conejos River, the <br />principal tributary of the Rio Grande in Colorado, and the construction of the <br />1,000,000 acre-foot Wagon ,/heel Gap reservoir on the main stem of the Rio Grande a- <br />~0ve Del Norte, Colorado. The Platoro reservoir on the Conejos River, which is <br />shmvn on Exhibit No.2, is now under construction and will go into operation probably <br />next season. The authorized Wagon Vfheel Gap reservoir is ~lso indicated on Exhibit <br />No.2. <br /> <br />Because of the agradation of the bed of the Rio Grande in New Mexico <br />above Elephant Butte, the irrigated middle Rio Grande ~rea has been seriously and <br />adversely affected. In recent years excessive non-beneficial consumption of water <br />resulting from the deterioration of the river channel and the growth of native water- <br />loving vegetation has placed New Mexico in a position of not being able to comply <br />with the terms of the Upper Rio Grande Compact. The spirit of comity among com- <br />pacting states evidences itself in this situation. On a number of occasions the <br />Compact Commission permitted lIew IIexico to release debit water from the El Vado <br />reservoir, the principal storage reservoir of the Middle Rio Grande Project. This <br />water under the terms of the compact was water which belonged to the Elephant Butte <br />project. On the last occasion, which occurred during the past season, the storage in <br />Elephant Butte reservoir was so depleted that the interests beloN the reservoir could <br />not afford to penni t the release of debit water from El Vado reservoir for use by New <br />Mexico. However, Colorado had in storac:e in Elephant Butte resei-voir so-called, " , <br />credit water which she had delivered at the state line in excess of her compact <br />obligation and, in the spirit of comity, Colorado released part of her credit water <br />to Elephant Butte reservoir for use below that reservoir, and the Commission per- <br />mitted New Mexico to release an equivalent amount of debit water from El Vado reser- <br />voir in order to save perennial crops in New Mexico. <br /> <br />The three states, New !~xico, Colorado, and Texas, have supported <br />authorizing legislation for a project, the object of which vall be 'to rehabilitate <br />the middle Rio Grande area. This project consists of the Chamita and Jemez flood <br />control and silt detention reservoirs, channel improvenents, and drainage. The <br /> <br />-6- <br />