WSP02611

• File Number: 8111.600
• Description: ARCA Annual Reports
• Basin: Arkansas
• Date: 12/22/1953
• Author: ARCA
• Title: Fifth Annual Report Arkansas River Compact Administration for the Year 1953
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Annual Report

6. CooJ}cralive Studies and Activities

(0) Article Vm-G (1) of the Arkansas Rivcr Compact requires
the Administration to cooperate with the Chief Official of
each of the States of Colorado and K<1nsas charged with the
administration of water rights ilnd with the Federal agencies
in a systematic determination and correlation of the facts as
to the flow and diversion of the waters of the Arkansas River
and as to the operation and siltation of John Martin Reservoir
;lnd other related structurcs. Article VIII.G (2) requests the
Director of the United States Geological Survey, the Commis-
sioner of Reclamation, and the Chief of Engineers, United
States Army, to collaborate with the Administration and with
approprii1tc State officials in such determination and correlation
of stream flow and related dati1. The carrying: out of these
cooperative studies and activities is assigned, under the By-Law.3
of the Administration, to the Engineering Committee.
(b) During the period covereJ by this report the Administration
has nad the benefit of excellent cooperation from all agencies
and officials referred to in the above provisions of the Com-
pact. The United States Geological Survey has proceeded with
the establishment and operation of Compact gaging stations,
an activity which is covered in detail in Paragraph 8 of this
report. The United States Geological Survey has ;}lso continued
the compilation of hydrologic data which arc presented in this
report and which h<l.ve been utili~cJ in thc administration of
the Compact. The Corps of Engineers has continued to opcr-
ate John Martin Rescrvoir in accord;lllcc with the provisions
of thc Compact.

7. IV ater SIlPpl)', Resermir Operatioll and Hydrologic Data

John Martin Rescrvoir was empty at the beginning of the Compact
year on "November J, 1952. Winter flow started to accumulate in stor-
age on November 12, 1952, and "continued to the opening of the irriga-
tion season on April 1, 1953, at which time the reservoir contained
21,266 acre-feet of water. This is approximately 250/0 less than was
accumulated in a similar period during the preceJing year and nearly
6070 less than was in storage at the same time a year ago. It constituted
by far the smallest amount in storage at that time. of the year since the
Compact has been in effect.
While the winter storage season was exceedingly dry, the combined
Jis,..-harge of the Arkansas and Purgatoire Rivers near Las Animas dur-
ing the irrigation sea.son from April 1, 1953, to October 31, 1953, was
147,43~ acre.fcct. This, of course, is a very meager quantity also but
nevertheless it was the largest amount of water produced from those
sources during that time of the year since 1949. Nearly all of it oc-
curred durin~ the months of June, July and August.
Releases from the reservoir commenced on April I, 1953, based
upon the conl:urrcnt demands of both states and. continued until the
reservoir was empty on April 17, 1953. Water rights on the river in

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