WSP01206

• File Number: 8200.300l49.B
• Description: Upper Colorado River Compact
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 10/11/1948
• Author: UCRB States
• Title: Upper Colorado River Compact
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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valuable because of his intimate knowledge of present and potential water
utilization in Western Colorado, C. L. Patterson, before his resignation
as Chief Engineer of the Colorado Water Conservation Board, was a member
of the engineering committee. He was replaced by R. M. Gildersleeve of
the engineering staff of tho Boardl Members of the Board and persons
directly interested in the utilization of Colorado River water in various
parts of the State attended Compact meetings and the Commissioner has had
the benefit of their advice during tho negotiations.

The Colorado ~ater Conservation Board at its meeting on September
27-28, 1948; after careful analysis of the proposed Compact, approved the
Vernal draft of the Compact and the apportionment of water and determination
of the obligation of the state thereunder which were eventually incorporated
in the negotiated draft at Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The Comnissioner submits:

(a) That the Upper Colorado River Basin Compact is fair and pro-
vides an equitable apportionment among the signatory States of the use
of the waters of the Upper Colorado !liver Basin.

(b) That it provides an equitable and wqrkable determination of
the respective obligations of the signatory States to make the de-
liveries of water at Lee Ferry required by the Colorado River Compact.

(c) That the incidental provisions of the Compact, including the
creation of an administrative agency, are necessary to carry out its
principal purposes.

(d) That the amount of water made available for consumptive use in
Colorado by tho Compact is all that could reasonably be exp(eeted in
view of the application of the principles of equitable apportionment to
a limited water supply.

(e) That the Compact will protect existing water rights and present
utilization of Colorado River water in the State.

(f) That the apportionment made by the Compact to Colorado will
meet the requirements for reasonable potential water development in
the Stato.

(g) That the Compact is in conformity with the prov~s~ons of the
Colorado River Compact which apportions water between tho Upper and
Lowor Basins of the Colorado River.

Accordingly, the Commissioner recommends that the Compact be ratified
by tho General Assembly of Colorado; and that every efLort be made to ob-
tain its approval by the Congress of the United states.

Another meeting of tho Compact Commission 1vlll be held in Denver, Colo-
rado, on November 29, 1948, for the purpose of revievdng and approv-

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