WSP06657

• File Number: 8210.120.90.B
• Description: 7 Basin States/10 Tribes
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 8/28/1991
• Author: State of California
• Title: Conceptual Approach for Reaching Basin States Agreement on Interim Operation of Colorado River System Reservoirs, California's Use of Colorado Riber Water Above its Basic Apportionment and Implementa
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

lands and municipal, industrial and other
beneficial uses,
o generate electrical energy,
o improve water quality,
o provide for basic public outdoor recreation
facilities, and
o improve conditions for fish and wildlife.

Providing an adequate water supply for use in the Upper as
well as Lower Colorado River Basin is the policy of the United
States enunciated in Public Law 90-537. Further, satisfaction of
the requirements of the Mexican Water Treaty from the Colorado
River is a national obligation. The Operating Criteria were
promulgated pursuant to Public Law 90-537 in order to ensure
operation of the Colorado River System reservoirs in accordance
with the "Law of the River" and the provisions contained therein
that establish the framework for operations of the Colorado River
System reservoirs.

C. Operation of Colorado River Svstem Reservoirs

Annually, the Secretary of the Interior must prepare a plan of
operation for the Colorado River system reservoirs that contains
several Secretarial determinations. These determinations are made
in consideration of all applicable laws and relevant factors as
specified in the Operating Criteria and include:

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the projected operation of the Colorado River
reservoirs to satisfy project purposes under
varying hydrologic and climatic conditions;
the quantity of water considered necessary as
of September 30 of each year to be in storage
in the Upper Basin reservoirs as required by
Section 602(a) of Public Law 90-537;
water available for delivery pursuant to the
1944 Mexican Water Treaty and Minute No. 242
of the International Boundary and Water
Commission (IBWC);
the magnitude of reasonable beneficial
consumptive use requirements of mainstream
users in the Lower Basin that will be met
under a "normal", "surplus", or "shortage"
condition as outlined in Article III of the
Operating Criteria; and
the magnitude of water apportioned to but
unused by one or more of the Lower Division
states that can be used to satisfy reasonable
beneficial consumptive use requests of
mainstream users in other Lower Division
states as provided in the Decree in Arizona v.
California.

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