WSP03823

• File Number: 8135.300
• Description: Ditch Companies - Catlin
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 1/29/1976
• Author: D Helton R McCabe
• Title: Catlin Transfer Plan and John Martin Permanent Pool Operation
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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dividuals and organizations wanted the permanent pool not
only for the recreation it would provide, but also because
they thought it would generate tourism and attract industry.
They contended that since it was constructed entirely at
Federal p.xpense, it should benefit mote people than just
those who benefit from its flood conttol and conservation of
irrigation water. This public demand sparked the interest of
the State.

The first step in the creation of a permanent pool was obtain-
ing Congressional authorization that would allow the permanent
pool to invade flood control space in the reservoir. This
necessary authorization was obtained in October 1965, with the
enactment of P.L. 89-298 (79-Stat. 1073 in Appendix B). The
permanent pool would ride on top of the conservation pool and
would occupy flood control space only when the conservation
pool was full or nearly full. The invasion would be limited
to 10,000 acre-feet and could be justified because various
flood-retarding projects, including several soil conservation
projects and Trinidad and Pueblo Reservoirs, had been or soon
would be completed.

Several water rights were available to the State, but they
would not, by themselves, provide an adequate permanent pool
water supply. These included 107 shares in the Fort Lyon
Canal company, 44 shares in the Las Animas Town Ditch Company
(these shares were sold to the High Line Canal Company in
1972), and 128 shares of the Consolidated Extension canal Com-
pany. They were obtained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
during land acquisition for the John Martin Project. The state
also has a decree that will allow storage of up to 5,000 acre-
feet of Muddy Creek water in John Martin Reservoir. These
water rights will eventually be included in the permanent pool
operation.

In 1969 the Colorado General Assembly appropriated $1,050,000
for the acquisition of the water supply for John Martin per-
manent pool. Several water rights and water systems were con-
.sidered for purchase. It was not until spring of 1972 that
adequate water rights were obtained with the purchase of 2,097.58
shares of capital stock in the catlin Canal Company. In Sep-
tember 1973, an application to change the water right (Case W-4025)
associated with these shares was filed in the District Court for
Water Division 2. This change is necessary to allow the water

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