WSP07217

• File Number: 8200.300.40.A
• Description: Colorado River Compact
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 1/26/1922
• Author: Co. R Compact Comm.
• Title: Minutes of Colorado Compact Commission on Compact Negotiations - Meeting #1
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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The Federal Government is interested through its control of

navigation, through protection of its treaty obligations, through

development of national irrigation projects and through virtual con-

trol of power development depeDding upon the use of public lands,

The sole object of the Federal Government is to secure develop-.

ment of the river in the interest of all.

The problems before the Co~ssion are not to be solved in a

day, There are many interests to be considered and there is much to

be heard from different factions of the community whose welfare is

at stake. These problems have b~en under intense study by both -

state and national authorities for ~ny years. There seems to be

almost unanimity that the river should be considered as a whole,

that its resources should be developed so as to give the greatest

benefits to the nation.

It is fortunate that there is little established right on the

river and that we have almost a clean sheet with which to begin our

efforts. The importance of the river cannot be overestimated as a

national asset, To-day there are some 2 1/2 million acres under

irrigation in the drainage basin. With proper development this can

be increased to over six million acres. There can be developed on

the river over five million horsepower, and with rapid strides in

transmission this enormous reserve of power will yet harness an

enormous asset to the nation.

Populations depending upon the lower river are in extreme

jeopardy through the violations of the river floods and the control

of its flood flow has become vital to their very existence.

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