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I:' r- C": -' c capacity of 660 acre-feet. The principal reservoir is the Red Mesa, capacity 576 acre-feet, in Hay Gulch just above its junction with La Plata River. It is supplied by Hay Gulch, but occasionally water is diverted from La Plata River by a ditch ef 20 second-fQQt capacity. In New Mexico, there are in use 13 small canals and one reservoir, the Jackson, of 380 acre-feat capacity, an off-channel reservoir filled by diversion from La Plata River. Most ef tho ditches are owned by cooperative associations and are operated on a nenprofi t basis. They have no secured indebtedness and tho amount of outstanding notes and unpaid bills is negligible. Annual charges for operation and maintenance range from $1. 75 per acre to $0.10 per acre; few charges are in excess of $0.50 per acre. Under present conditions, useE of water are practically confined to direct flow diversions limited by terms of the La Plata River Com- pact. Flow of La Plata River at Hesperus. culminates early, usually in May, and declines rapidly thereafter. Seasonal use of water is unbalanced as against desirable monthly requirements, large diversions being made in April and May and pronouneed shortages occurring in the late summer months. For both Colorade and New Mexico lands, seasonal sterage regulation is highly desirable for increased crop production and stability of tho irrigated area. La Plata River Cempact. The La Plata River Compact fixes the respective rights ef Celorado and New Mexice to the flow of La Plata River, and sets up a procedure for administering the stream. Tho compact, which was drawn in 1922, was ratified by the logislatures of the two states and by Congress, became operative in 1925, and was uphold by the Supreme Court of the United States in 1938. Its provisions are summarized as follews: 1. Between Decomber 1 and February 15 each state shall have unrestricted use of the water which may flow within its bounde.ries. 2. Between February 15, and December 1. (a) Each state shall have the unrestricted use ef the water wi thin its boundaries on each day that the mean flew at the interstate station (within one mile ef the state line) shall be 100 second-feet er more, but (b) When the flow at the interstate statien is less than 100 second-feet, Celerado shall deliver at the interstate statien a quantity of water equiva- lent to one-half of the flow at the Hesperus Station (recerded flew at Hesperus plus concurrent diversions by ditchos diverting above Hesperus) on the previous day, but not to exceed 100 socond-feet. 3. At times ef lew flow the state engineers may agree to rotate the entire flow to each state. 10