WSP00381

• File Number: 8143.600.10
• Description: John Martin Reservoir
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 12/1/1981
• Title: Analysis of John Martin Reservoir
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Page 3

The intent of the Compact was to :

(1) settle existing

disputes and remove causes of future controversy between the

States of Kansas and Colorado; and (2) equitably apportion

the benefits arising from the construction of the John Martin

Reservoir project both between the two states and also between

the water users in Colorado upstream and downstream of the

newly constructed reservoir. The Compact is quite clear in

regards to the latter intention. Paragraph C of Article IV

states:

"The conservation pool will be operated for the
benefit of water users in Colorado and Kansas,
both upstream and downstream from John Martin
Dam... n

The Colorado Compact Commissioners, in their letter submitting

the Compact to the Governor and General Assembly of the State

of Colorado for approval and ratification, again emphasize

this intent:

"...it (the Compact) recognizes and provides for
improvement of water rights in Colorado above
John Martin Reservoir and. assures water users
in Colorado below said Reservoir with a greatly
improved and regulated water supply."

The operation of John Martin Reservoir according to the

procedures contained in the Compact did not result in the most

efficient use of the water stored in the conservation pool,

however. When releases of conservation pool storage were begun

under the provisions of Article V of the Compact, the ditches

below the reservoir had to either use the water or lose it,

regardless of whether or not they needed the water at the time.