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'--'~~"~,:"'~~~ ;.---' . . A-~~ 1","~....t \O............,.V..;T ~I{n ' . Colorado Water Protective and Development Association The Colorado Water Protective and Development Association ("CWPDA") is a non-profit Colorado corporation incorporated since 1965. CWPDA was founded in 1964 by Arkansas protect members against legislation that could well diversions. Its stated primary purpose develop the underground and surface waters of upstream of John Martin Reservoir. Valley farmers to curtail irrigation is to protect and the Arkansas River CWPDA's 315 members, representing 800 wells, are persons, corporations, groups, bodies politic, or other entities that own or control wells within the Arkansas River Basin upstream of John Martin Reservoir. It is believed that slightly less than half of all well owners within the area of Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District are members of CWPDA. Since its inception, a primary focus of CWPDA has been to obtain augmentation water to cover depletions from member wells. Although the State Engineer's Rules and Regulations ,governing use of groundwater in the Arkansas River Basin curtail well diversions for four out seven days, CWPDA members are allowed to pump seven days a week because of the augmentation water purchased by CWPDA, In the past, CWPDA has purchased water from various sources, including return flows from the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, as augmentation water for its members. The augmentation water is paid for through yearly membership fees and assessments. CWPDA has had relatively good success working with the Division and State Engineer's to protect its members, and its augmentation program has been condoned by the State of Colorado. It is believed that a great majority of members of CWPDA use their wells as a supplemental source - supplemental to surface water supplies from ditches and reservoirs. All members of CWPDA are presently required to have wells adjudicated in 1972 or prior years, and l1lany have priority dates which precede the Arkansas River Compact and/or the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project. CWPDA has been active in monitoring the Kansas v. Colorado lawsuit and has assisted the State of Colorado by providing vital information concerning member wells and diversions. CWPDA has been careful to anticipate possible outcomes of that litigation. consequently, in 1992 CWPDA began an extensive survey and testing program of its members' wells to determine the amount pumped from each well. This information will prove useful in evaluating the efficiency of those wells, use and diversions, as well as augmentation requirements. The testing will continue in 1993. In addition, CWPDA has recently engaged Jeris Danielson as a consul tant. A copy of Mr. Danielson I s report to the Division Engineer is attached and outlines some results from the testing.