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,;.1, '1'1 CHAPTER 2 RESOLVING INTERSTATE WATER PROBLEMS INTRODUCTION The purpose of this chapter is twofold: (1) to give the reader some idea of the types of inter- state water uses which could have an impact on Nebraska water supplies, and (2) to examine the traditional institutional mechanisms which have been used to allocate the waters 01 interstate streams between stales and to resolve disputes which may arise. Examples of interstate waler use are numer- ous and varied. and include the storing of water for irrigation in one slate which may reduce stream flows in a downstream state and inter- state transfers of water for energy development projects. There are clearly a number of interests. often diverse. in the development of interstate water resources. Development in one state can have an impact on the availability of water in other states. Consequently. the potential for these interests to become conflicting and "the frequency and seriousness of these allocation problems [are] certain to increase as water de- velopment accelerates.'" The states currently have the primary respon- sibility for the conservation and protection of their water resources. It should be noted. how- ever, that "(tlhe water cannot just be dammed up at the border and retained for use within the state. There is no way to make claim to all the state's water which would be effective against claims by other states and the federal govern- ment:'2 A pOint is reached where it would prob- ably be in a state's interest to develop instttution. al mechanisms for achieving cooperative con. servation efforts and coordination of water use befween states bordering on a river basin or interstate aquifer in lieu of waiting until conflicts develop to seek a resolution. The following examples are brief descriptions of some of the interstate uses which have occur- red or been proposed for interstate streams affecting Nebraska. They are intended as illus- trative examples only. No attempt has been made to inventory the current or potential inter. state water use conflicts affecting Nebraska as that is outside the scope of this report. EXAMPLES OF INTERSTATE WATER USE Narrows Unit The Narrows Unit is a multi-purpose dam and reservoir project to be constructed on the South Platte River in Colorado. The project is designed to utilize surplus water normally available in the spring and store it for use during the short irrigation season. The development is planned to "provide supplemental irrigation water, flood control. recreation, and fish and wildlife develoP- ment. and potential future municipal and in- dustrial supplies:'3 The flood control storage apparently will largely control the South Platte River into Nebraska and thus give the capability of reducing substantially that river's contribution to flOOd flows in the Plalle River below North Platte. Despite these favorable attributes to the pro- posed Narrows Unit. concern has been express- ed over potential impacts in Nebraska. Some of the potential changes which could occur in Nebraska from construction of the project in- clude a decrease in the amount of water available for storage and irrigation diversion 10 an average year. In some dry years. however, the amount of water available for irrigation diversion will be increased. The reduction of periOdiC high flows could degrade wildlife habitat due to changes in channel configuration and riparian vegetation. In addition. the concentration of total dissolved solids may be increased to significant levels. Sedimentation prOblems at diversion works. though. should be lessened as the reservoir will act as a sediment trap. The Narrows Project has been authorized lor construction by the Bureau of Reclamation and 2.1