WSP07211

• File Number: 8149.911
• Description: Miscellaneous Small Projects and Project Studies - SE Needs Assessment and PSOP
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 4/1/1999
• Author: AK River Basin Water
• Title: Preliminary Findings Arkansas River Water Needs Assessment
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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in Pueblo Reservoir from November 15 to March
14 for irrigation at a later time.

E. Arkansas River Compact of 1948

While the administration of the compact has
major impacts on water use in the lowet Arkansas
Valley, its impact on Stream flows between Twin
lakes and Pueblo Reservoir is much more limit-
ed. The compact ratified irrigation as a legitimate
use for John Martin Reservoir. which was previ-
ously approved only for flood comrol. Therefore.
John Martin became a major srorage facility with
a 1948 priority, which is senior to water rights for
the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project. Project facilities
cmnot store native flows untilJohn Martin
Reservoir is full. When this occurs. the main Stem
of the Arkansas may see a decrease in me:unflow
as upper basin storage captures a portion of the
native flows.

E Annual Flow Management ProgtaIIl

In 1990, Recl:unation and the Colorado
Departmenr of Natural Resources signed m
agreement under which Reclamation would
attempt to provide flows to better suPPOtt narural
resource values. There is no legal obligation upon
Reclamation to provide rhe flows. md the pro'
grJffi must be operared wirhjn me context of
legally required srorage and deliveries for water
users. DNR makes its Row recommendations via
an annual letter to Reclamation each Spring. The
annual letter has typically included the foUowing
six components:

. minimum year round flow of at leasr 250 cis
to protect the fishery

. flows from mid-November rhrough April not
less rhan 5" below rhe height of the river
between OCt. 15 - Nov. 15 to protect and
incubate brown crOUt eggs

. flows April I - May 20 between 250-400 cfs
for egg hatching and fry emergence

. augment flows during the July I to August 15
period to cteate flows of at least 700 cfs for
recr<:ational purposes
. limit daily flow changes ro 10-15% of flows

. if possible. reduce flows afrer labor Day to
levels recommended by Colotado Division of
Wildlife

G. Legal and Institutional
Opportunities For Water
Management

There are numerous opportunities for improving
water management to better meet the needs of
water users and the natural ~nvironmen[.
However. all of these opportunities involve
numerous issues md concerns. affected parries.
and legal conStraints. These oppOrtunities include:

. Modified Management of Existing Storage and
Conveyance Facilities
. Expanded or New Storage Capaciry
. Soumern Delivery System For Ciry of
Colorado Springs
. Temporary Water Trmsfers
. Arrangemem with ~[unicipal Water Providers
. Expanded Season of Exchanges
. Increased Water ImpotrS

Most of me water users in rhe basin have agreed
that [Q better meet water needs. improved Storage
management should be thoroughly investigated
and tried before other options are explored and
implemented. To this end, Southeastern Colorado
Water Conservancy District is coordinating a
sOldy of storage needs and storage management
within the basin.

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