WSP00672

• File Number: 822.600.10
• Description: Colorado River Annual Operating Plan - Annual Reports
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 1/1/1993
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: Annual Operating Plan
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Annual Report

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13

minimum annual release of 8.23 MAP from Lake Powell pursuant to Article II(2) of the
Operating Criteria.

Lower Basin Reservoirs

Water shall be released or pumped from Lake Mead to meet the following requirements:

(a) 1944 Mexican Water Treaty obligations;
(b) Reasonable beneficial consumptive use requirements of mainstream users in the Lower
Division States;
(c) Net river losses;
(d) Net reservoir losses;
(e) Regulatory wastes.

The Operating Criteria provide that after the commencement of delivery of mainstream water
by means of the CAP, the extent to which the reasonable beneficial consumptive use
requirement of mainstream users in the Lower Division States is met is to be determined by
the Secretary of the Interior.

The reasonable beneficial consumptive use requirements are met to differing extents
depending on whether a "normal," "surplus,. or "shortage" condition has been determined.
The "normal" condition is defined as annual pumping and release from Lake Mead sufficient
to satisfy 7.5 MAP of consumptive use in accordance with the decree in Arizona v.
California, 376 U.S. 340 (1964). Taking into account relevant factors associated with
existing and expected future conditions in the Basin and expected consumptive use
requirements of mainstream users in 1993, it has been determined that annual pumping and
releases from Lake Mead will be allowed, sufficient to satisfy up to 7.5 MAP of
consumptive use in accordance with Article II(B)(l) of the decree in Arizona v. California.
The "normal" condition is the criterion governing the operation of Lake Mead for
calendar year 1993.

Nothing in the decree in Arizona v. California prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from
releasing water apportioned, but unused, in any Lower Division State for that year for
consumptive use in any other Lower Division State. No rights to the recurrent use of such
water accrue by reason of the use of such water. In light of this provision, the special
studies conducted in conjunction with the development of this AOP, and in accordance with
Article II(B)(6) of the decree; any Lower Division State will be allowed to utilize
apportioned, but unused, water from another Lower Division State in calendar year 1993 to
the extent that the total annual consumptive use by mainstream users in the Lower Division
States does not exceed 7.5 MAP.

Reclamation acknowledges that there are instances of unauthorized use of mainstream water
in the Lower Basin. An unauthorized use means any diversion or use of Colorado River
water without an entitlement to use the water or use which is not in conformance with an