WSP03137

• File Number: 8143.400
• Description: John Martin Reservoir
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 10/23/1963
• Title: The Case for the Opposition to a Permanent Pool in John Martin Reservoir
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

.1;

"",.,,~~

,'I

.'-,-,',"

Operational Problems

Any attempt to maintain a permanent pool in John Martin R~servoir would require the

constant segregation of pool water from irrigation water. Suer. segregation, if attempted,

would requhe arbitrary assumptions and large mess"urea of estimation, and would inevitably

become sources of local and interstate controversy, and of possible Iftiga~ion. The ac-

counting with respect to the nature of impounded supplies would be further complicated by

uncertainties as to quantities, invPlving the effects of, and proper allowances for .sil-
tation and evaporation.

While the extent of deposits of sediment may be ascertained from time to time, efter

tiley have OCcurred, by periodic surveys from which previously applicable oapaci ty tables

may be correoted, tte quantity of water impounded at all other times, during intervals be-

tween such surveys, is necessarily uncertain. Also, the impounded quantities are subject

to Change due to unavoidable lossefl by evaporation, at re.tes varying' fI'on, d8,y to day, and

by months, seasons B!ld ~ie/jI'.1 with climatic and "'eatl:er conditions.

The gauging stntion on the ArkAnsas River at Las Animas is unreliable bec,auss of

channe... conditions at the rating noction. !t Gor,teins anotr.er disaqvantage iIl behlg locat_

ed about 20 river mUes. above John Martin Dam. The gauging st6.tion at the mouth of. the

Purgatoire River is also far removed from the Dam. Theae conditions further complicate ~ne

accounting of water amounts and further,multiply the uncertainties and sources of disputes.

Alternatives to the Permanent Pool

Tbe following sites are propOsed for develop~ent as alternatives to a permanent pool

in John Martin Reservoir. The SUrfE.ce acres given are approximate WId taken at the high

~ater line.

1. Lake Meridith -- 3,200 SUrface acres - located 7 miles north of Rocky Ford, Colo.

2. Lake Hanry -- 800 surfaoe acres - located 12 miles north of Rocky Ford, 0010.

3. Holbrook Lake -- 700 Surface acres - lOcated 3 miles north of SWink, Colo.

4. Horse Creek Reservoir -- 2,600 SUrface acres - located 13 miJ.ea northeast of La
Junta, Colorado.
5. Adobe Cl'eek Reservoir -- 3,800 surfaCe sc!'es - located 12 miles north of Las
Animhs, Colo.

6. Verhoeff Lakes -- 200 surface acres - looated 2 miles northeast of John Martin
Raservoir.

7. Thurston Lake -- 600 surface acres - located 7 miles north of Lamar, Colo.

8. Great Plains Reservoi~s -- 1~,900 SUrface acres _ located 14 miles north of Lamar,
Colo.

9. Propose~ Clay Creek Reservoir -- 3 miles south of Lamar, Colo.

10. Proposed sInal! ~lf;tershed projec~ on Cheyenne Creek __ permanent pool, 102 Surface
acres - located itl Arkansas Valley near 'Colorado-Kansas State line.

11. Lake Hasty -- 75 surface acres - located di~ectly below John Martin Reservoir_it
might be enlarged by furthar excavation.

-- Page 7 --

".;'\f/~,i~~-"'

.:'-