WSP02305

• File Number: 8220.106
• Description: Animas-La Plata
• State: CO
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 12/1/1994
• Author: Bookman-Edmonston
• Title: Economic Impact Study - Animas-La Plata and Colorado Ute Water Rights Settlement Act
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I

REGIONAL ECONOMY WITHOUT PROJECT

Scenario No.2 - SJWC Purchases Existing Irrigation Water Rights to 30,800 Acre-Feet

Under this scenario, the 30,800 acre-feet of ALP water would revert to the public trust,
subject to all New Mexico appropriators. It is assumed that the rivers in San Juan County
are sufficiently fully appropriated, resulting in the entire 30,800 acre-feet being utilized by
other USBR permits and junior appropriators. Furthermore, it is assumed that in order for
SJWC to develop 30,800 acre-feet, SJWC would have to purchase water rights on the Animas
River that are presently being used for irrigation within San Juan County and transfer these
rights to M&I use.

As discussed above, the Animas River streamflows are sufficient during most years to

provide the 30,800 acre-feet of ALP water on a direct flow basis. Likewise, under this

scenario, it is assumed that SJWC could purchase irrigation rights that during most years

are sufficient to provide the 30,800 acre-feet on a direct flow basis. However, due to the

Animas River decreased streamflow during dry years, a storage reservoir would be required

in order to provide the full 30,800 acre-feet each year on a firm M&I basis. For the purposes

of this scenario, it is assumed that the reservoir and supply canal for Scenario No. 1 would

be sufficient for storage of purchased irrigation water rights.

In addition to the above facilities costs, SJWC would have to purchase the required water
rights. Privately held irrigated acreage for 1994 in San Juan County was projected by
Black & Veatch (1981a) to be approximately 34,000 acres. Kirkpatrick reported that recent
New Mexico State Engineer estimates for the currently privately held irrigated acreage range
from 41,000 to 44,000 acres. Black & Veatch (1981a) reports the average diversions for
privately held irrigated acreage are three acre-feet per acre with a 50 percent depletion
factor. It is assumed that M&I use would also have a 50 percent depletion factor; therefore,
approximately 10,000 acres of presently irrigated lands would have to be fallowed to
develop 30,800 acre-feet of water for M&I purposes. This would result in a reduction of 23
to 29 percent of privately held irrigated acreage in San Juan County, which would have
significant direct and indirect economic impacts on the region.

The cost for irrigation water rights is variable and depends upon several factors including
amount of water purchased, seniority of the water right, and market conditions. Recent

3-19