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/,~).. ... ';'" ' ,. 0- ,t.. ' .\,.,-., l' " ., ~ .. .""., , , SAN LUIS VALLEY PROJECT, CLOSED BASIN DIVISION, Colorado -, 1 ) By Alamosa Field Division Staff Bureau of Reclamation Albuquerque Area Office - Alamosa Field Division 10900 Hwy 160 E Alamosa, CO 81101 MISSION The Mission of the BlIreall of Reclamation is to manage. develop, and protect water related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American plIblic. Historical Background Near the end of the 19th century, a series of dry years caused severe water shortages to the farmers along the Rio Grande. These people discovered that the river which had met their needs for over 300 years no longer provided enough water. They looked north to the San Luis Valley and saw a valley-wide system of irrigation canals which industrious Colorado pioneers had just completed. The system diverted much of the water historically flowing further south. The complaints of the Republic of Mexico were the first to receive attention. In 1898 the Republic of Mexico sued the United States for waters from the Rio Grande. This resulted in the Treaty of 1906 in which the U.S. agreed to deliver a total of 60,000 acre feet of water annually to Mexico. Elephant Butte Reservoir was constructed in 19 I 6 to assist the U.S. in meeting the treaty commitment. In Texas and New Mexico the water shortage persisted. An injunction on construction of reservoirs on Federal lands combined with threatened lawsuits from downstream water users, hampered further development of reservoirs needed to serve the San Luis Valley. In spite of this the valley water users managed to privately fund and construct five reservoirs between 1910 and 1913. Eight major irrigation drains were constructed in the valley to reclaim some 90,000 acres which were becoming waterlogged. The valley continued to use water. May 31, 1996 , The Rio Grande Compact During this period the states of Texas, New Mexico and Colorado conducted discussions on their respective water rights on the Rio Grande. In 1923 the three states seriously started trying to resolve the issue of an equitable distribution of the waters of the Rio Grande. A temporary compact was drawn up in 1928. On March 18, 1938 the Rio Grande Compact was signed by the commissioners of the three states. It was ratified by the Colorado Legislature on February 21, 1939. The Rio Grande Compact is a complicated document which attempts to maintain the relationship of annual flows across state boundaries which had developed by the early 20th century. The terms of the Compact are flexible, recognizing annual variations in natural flow and anticipating that new sources of water for the Basin would develop. Colorado has the most difficulty meeting its delivery requirement in years when the river's flow is high. Under the Compact, states can also accumulate a debt or credit. Colorado began to accumulate a debt after 1949 and it reached an estimated 944,000 acre feet, from 1952 to 1966 due to five large water years which occurred during that time. In 1966, Texas and New Mexico sued Colorado. This suit carried to the United States Supreme Court. In 1968 a stipulation was reached among the three states which, in essence, said that Texas and New Mexico would not proceed with further litigation. if Colorado would honor its obligations under the Compact. From 1968 to 1985 the State Engineer strictI v enforced the terms that Colorado had to meet ;0 repay its debt and meet its annual ( .... {~ J"~., ("', ," ):',_ ........~0i( Page 1