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~ t',....:~ -'3'; V";0J w The Conchos reservoir was constructed on the Canadian River by the Corps of Engineers in the middle 1930's as a part of the pump-priming program. Its function is for flood control and the regulation of the erratic flows of the Canadian River. Th~ Tu~uffi~~ri {Hlli"'ley) ri'"0ject 9"io.5 ai.itl101~izeJ. a.t1u i::i nea.ring (;0mpl~ti0i1 in New Mexico to utilize a portion of the regulated water for irrigation. Several growing cities and towns along the Canadian River below the Kew Mexico state line have begun to develop a need for additional municipal and industrial water supplies A project was investigated and reported upon by the Bureau of Reclamation to supply additional domestic and industrial water needs of eleven cities in Texas. The project also would have other functions, namely, the provision of flood control, ~ome irrigation, and improvement of the propagation of fish and .1ild:life. In the closing days of the 81st Congress, the President signed the G~nadian River bill authorizing the construction of the project. Actual construc- '::' em, however, was made dependent upon the ratification of a compact among the states of New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma. A compact has been agreed upon by commissioners appointed by the three states, and has been signed. Bills have been introduced in the legislatures of the three states calling for its ratification. As soon as the compact becomes effective, work can proceed upon the construction of the project if funds are made available by Congress. A . compact between Colorado and lIew Mexico over the uses of the waters of Costilla Creek became effective in 1946. This compact had the effect of re- solving serious controversies between the two states and between interests of the two states. Under the terms of the compact much more beneficial use is being made of the waters of the stream with present facilities than resulted prior to the con- summation of the compact. Water use problems vdth respect to the Arkansas River developed between Kansas and Colorado at an early date. In 1902 Kansas took action against Colorado in the United States Supreme Court. This suit was dismissed in J,906 without preju- dice to Kansas. The Court, however, did lay down a principle vlr,j,ch theretofore had not been clear, namely, that a state did not have the exclusive right to the use of the waters which originate rli thin its boundaries, and also laid d01m the principle that there should be an equitable apportiomnent of the uses of the waters of an interstate stream. Litigation between private parties on both sides of the state line was detrimental to both states for a number of years, ann had the effect of casting a cloud over the water rights initiated on the stream under the laws of the respective states. Colorado, for the first time in its history, became the plain- tiff in an interstate water suit before the Supreme Court. It filed what in essence was a bill of peace, ashng that the problems between Kansas and Colorado over the uses of the waters of the Arkansas iliver be resolved for all time. This suit was costly and'extended over a period of 16 years. The Court again found that Colorado had not exceeded her equitable share of the uses of the waters of the Arkansas River and had not injured the interested Kansans. The Court recommended strongly that the tl'O states negotiate a compact apportioning the uses of the waters of the river. In the meantime, in the 1930's the Corps of Engineers had constructed a project known as the John Martin dam which created the Caddoa reservoir. This proj- ect, similar to the Conchos reservoir on the Canadian River, was for the purpose of providing flood control and of regulating and making useable infrequent flood flows. In order for the construction of the reservoir to have the support of Colorado and Kansas, a stipulation was entered into by representatives of ,those states concerning -8-