WSP00415

• File Number: 8103
• Description: Arkansas river Basin Legislation
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 1/31/1968
• Author: W W Wheeler and Asso
• Title: Coordinator of Natural Resources - State of Colorado - Exhibits on Water Legislation Investigations for the Arkansas River Basin - Volume IV --January 31 1968
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Mr. Sparks at the last meeting before this Committee. At that time

I believe Mr. Sparks stated that more data were available for the

Arkansas River Basin computor approach than for any other basin in the

Un i ted States. If th I s I s Incorrect, I. am sure that members of the

Water Board will correct it.

An Indispensable part of any study Involving the appropriation

doctrine Is a knowledge of the water rights attached to the various

ditches and reservoirs. Consequently, we have Included, as Exhibit H,

a straight line diagram showing the ditches and their water rights

for Water District 17. We have similar straight I ine diagrams for

the other main stream Water Districts from Leadville to the State

Line.

In concluding my remarks, I wish to state that we have not

made recommendations which might be incorporated In a revised water

code which would be applicable to the Arkansas River Basin. The reason

for this is that our diagnosis of the overall basin problems and possible

solutions are only partially complete. It Is my bel ief that the final

recommendations should only be made after a thorough economic analysis

has been made and included, because someone will have to pay for

Implementation of such a program, and any additional burden that

would be assessed against the water users must give consideration to the

ability of the farmers to meet these additional burdens. I would be

pleased to furnish members of this committee and others copies of

these remarks as well as other data, if desired.

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