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<br />The operation of the Check by OMID in 1977 benefitted water users in the Colorado River basin. <br />The Check effectively delayed the call by approximately two weeks from (06118 to 07/01). <br />Further, once a call was initiated, the Check continued to satisfy part of GVIC's 119.47 cfs right <br />thereby reducing the amount of water that was delivered from Green Mountain Reservoir. <br /> <br />The pattern of Check operation described above was not isolated to 1977. A review of historic <br />streamflow and diversion records for the period 1945 through 1990 reflect that the Check has <br />been operated to benefit GVIC and Colorado River basin water users during many dry years. <br />During these dry periods, the Check often helped satisfy all or part of the GVIC irrigation demand. <br /> <br />CURRENT ADMINISTRA TION - COLORADO RIVER <br /> <br />In approximately 1985, the State Engineer adopted a change in policy regarding the operation of <br />the Check (0. Bell 1993, verbal). The State no longer requires that the Check be in place prior to <br />administering upstream water rights. Rather, as shortages occur and GVIC's 119.47 cfs <br />agricultural water right makes the initial call, the State begins to administer upstream junior water <br />rights. Junior water rights that are not Green Mountain Senate Document 80 beneficiaries are <br />curtailed and reservoir releases are made to replace depletions of junior beneficiaries. If these <br />releases are insufficient to meet the 119.47 cis demand, additional water is released from Green <br />Mountain Reservoir until the right is satisfied. This right, which historically was satisfied by <br />implementation of the Check, places an additional demand on the Colorado River. <br /> <br />The Division Engineer currently administers the Cameo demand to provide a flow at the Grand <br />V. Diversion dam of 1,950 cis. This amount represents the full 2,260 cfs demand less 310 <br />cfs that OMID will check under the USA power right in order to keep it operational during low <br />flows. As outlined above, the Bureau's operating policy limits Green Mountain releases from the <br />66,000 AF pool for agricultural and domestic demands, not industrial uses. <br /> <br />COLORADO RIVER DEMAND A T CAMEO <br /> <br />The existing and historic operation of the Check was studied in order to quantify the change in <br />streamflow demand at Cameo. The investigation included the collection and review of <br />correspondence, reports, and records of daily diversions and water right calls maintained by the <br />State Engineer, GVIC and GVWUA. In addition, interviews were conducted with representatives <br />of the GVIC, GVWUA, State Engineer's office and Bureau of Reclamation. <br /> <br />8 <br />