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<br /> <br />(~{,~~' <br /> <br />~""" <br />,~> <br />Q') <br /> <br />The Case For The Opposition To A <br />Permanent Pool In <br />..John Martin Reserl(oir <br />1J;i. <br /> <br />BY WILLIAM' HOWLAND, SUPERINTEND~N'j{T' <br />"',I/i,:;;,',:" <br />The Amity Mutual Irrigalion Co." '<1f11J <br />HOLL Y. COLORADO <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />The attempt to establish a permanent pool in John Martin Reservoir has cr~ated much <br /> <br />discord in Colorado.s Arkansas Valley. Her~in the writer will attempt to clarify. the <br /> <br />position of those opposed to the permanent pool. It should be clearly stated that the <br /> <br />pool's opponents do not in any way objeot to the proper development of hunting and fishing <br />facilities. A oross-section of irrigators and other opponents would show just as high a <br /> <br />peroentage of sportsmen as any other segment of the population. However, they are convinc- <br />ed that a permanent pool in John Martin Reservoir is physically impracticable and contrary <br />to the primary uses of the Reservoir. It is hoped that the following discussion will <br /> <br />clearly show the reaeoning behind this conviction. <br /> <br />Historical Informallon <br /> <br />Construction of the John Martin Reservoir Project was authorized by Congress in th~ <br /> <br />Flood Control Act approved June 22, 1936. The Project was authori~ed to be of a dual <br /> <br />purpose in its primary functi~nB, serving both for flood control ~d conservation of water <br /> <br />for irrigation use. <br /> <br />Interstate relations between Oolorado and Kansss concerning the Arkansas River, prior <br /> <br />to the construction of John Martin-Reservoir, had long 'involved much litigation and, since <br /> <br />1901, has been Buoject to the jurisdiction of the United States Supreme Court. Recognition <br /> <br />of the interests of both States in the waters of the Arkansae River and in the John Martin <br /> <br />.Project was made under the opinion of the United States Supreme Court entered Dec. 6, 1943. <br /> <br />in the caee of Colorado V. Kansas. Subsequently. the Colorado-Kansas Arkansas River Com- <br /> <br />pact was approved by both states. This Compact has effectively terminated the long-stand~ <br /> <br />ing dispute between the two States. The settlement has undoubtedly be~n of great benefit <br />to the citizens of. both States, and should not be overlooked in any discussion concerning <br /> <br />the merits of John Martin Reser~oir. <br /> <br />The pr~ect wae operated for limited storage of irrigation water fro~ 1943 to 1948. <br /> <br />A capacity of 100,000 acre feet was utilized fcr this purpcse. Completion of the dam and <br /> <br />appurten8nt features was accomplished in October of 1948. At that time 402,110' acre feet <br /> <br />capacity became available for irrigation storage and 218,639, acre feet was reserved for, <br /> <br />-- .Page 1 -- <br /> <br />10/ :JY.""J <br />