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00 c:J -..-," ~ c: SYNOPSIS The La Plata Project lies within the valley of La Plata River, in southwestern Colorado and northwestern New Mexico. Irrigated lands within the area approximate 19,140 acres in the Colorado Division and 3,800 acres in the New Mexico Division, according to 1941 and 1938 surveys of the respective divisions; That the soils are well adapted to irrigation farming is substantiated by over 60 years of practice under diversions from La Plata River, The area is arid, and irriga- tion is necessary for successful farming, Prior to the 10-year drouth period, 1931-1940, the total irrigated area in the two states reached 24,000 acres; however, during extreme low-water years the area irri- gated declined to 11,000 acres, In 1942 a total of 16,000 acres were irrigated. Annual run-off of.La Plata Basin available to the project, aver- ages about 50,000 acre-feet, with a low value of 17,000 acre-feet. The run-off culminates early during the irrigation season, usually about May 15, and declines rapidly thereafter, large shortages occur- ring in June, July, and August, In extreme low-water years, crop failures are widespread in the La Plata Basin in both states; lands with junior water rights receive little or no water. During the drouth period of 1931-1940 five severe low-water years occurred, many farms were abandoned, and at one time ever half the population of the pro- ject area was receiving relief of some kind. Supplemental water from storage reservoirs for late summer needs must be provided if the irrigated area is to be successfully farmed and maintained. Investigation of the La Plata area was undertaken by the Bureau of Reclamation at the request of local water users, and in 1941 the States of Colorado and New Mexico approved a plan involving construc- tion of reservoirs at the Long Hollow and State Line sites to provide supplemental water for both divi~bns. Long Hollow Reservoir would have an abtive capacity of 12,000 acre-feet to provide supplemental water for the Colorado Division, State Line Reservoir would have a capacity of 32,000 acre-feet, including 5,000 for silt contral, 12,000 for irrigation and 15,000 for flood control, to provide storage regulation for the New Mexico Division. The two reservoirs, if operated properly, would increase'sub- stantially the water Qivcrtible in both states; would allow a maxi- mum use of water in Colorado and still provide an adequate regulated water supply for the Nuw Mexico lands, While water shortages would occur in the Colorado Division, they would be infrequent and of minor significance as cor.pared to those experienced in the past, and with economical use of storage water under Colorado ditches, the irrigated land in Colorado may be maintained at close to 18,000 acres. However, I ;!