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

51

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"That the international rights and agreements between the. United
States and the Replubic of Mexico as set forth in the treaty of
Guadalupe Hidalgo, proclaimed July 4, 1$48, and as recited and added
to in the Gadsden Treaty, proclaimed June 30, 1$54, and in the Bound-
ary Convention, Rio Grande and Rio Co+orado, proclaimed September 14,
1$$6, and by any and all other treaties, agreements and conventions
between the United states and the Rerublic of Mexico with respect to
the Colorado River, are binding upon this Commission and the st~tus
of the river in that respect shall be regarded as having been fixed
and settled; ..

...

"That the Colorado River has been declared to be a navigable
stream, though many army engineers erho have been detailed to examine
and report on the navigability of the river and the advisability of
improving the same for navigation, have each recommended against any
improvement because of the unworthy character of the stream for navi-
gation and lack of necessity for its use as such at the time. .The
construction of the Laguna Dam, under authority of the Government,
has impaired the navigability of the river.

"The Commission recognizes that there is urgent need of the
earliest possible development in the 10Her Colorado River, (1) for
flood control, (2) to meet the increasing demand for irrigation water,
(3) for the creation of hydro-electric pm,rer to meet the demand of
the general growth of industry in the southwest,

..

"The Commission recognizes a future demand for a.more extensive
utilization of the waters of the Colorado and its tributaries through-
out the entire basin or Hatershed of the Colorado River for irriga-
tion, power development and other uses.

"Therefore, being fully advised, the Commission makes, agrees to
and promulgates the foll01dng principles and policies with respect
to the use of the Haters of the Colorado River and tributaries:

"1. That the Common Law doctrine of Ripar:i.an Rights does not
obtain and shall..not be recognized in the Colorado River Basin,

"2, 'lhs.t no state, nor any of the citizens thereof, shall obtain
nor shall any development on Colorado River.in any of said states
thereby create, a priority of right as to time or quantity of water
by virtue of the earlier development and use of the waters of
Colorado River as against any other state, or the citizens thereof;
that all priorities as betHeen said states, ,lith respect to the .use
of the waters of Colorado River, are hereby specifically Haived. Pro-
vided, however, it is understood and agreed that the acreage of lands
to .be cultivated and irrigated in the Colorado River Basin from the
waters of the Colorado River or its tributaries diverted above the
Boulder Canyon damsite and reservoir shall be limited, for the period
of twenty years, to new acreages in the several states, in addition
to the new acreages irrigated and cultivated during or prior to the