WSP07251

• File Number: 8143.600.10.A
• Description: John Martin Reservoir - Operation Studies
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 12/1/1981
• Author: Zorich/Spronk Assoc
• Title: Analysis of John Martin Reservoir Operation
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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ZORICH, SPRO~I< a ASSOCIATES, INC.

Page 4

In an attempt to promote more efficient use of the water stored
.)
in the conservation pool, the Compact Administration in April
~
~ of 1980 adopted a Resolution incorporating new operating cri-
"'J teria for John Martin Reservoir. A copy of this Resolution is
included in Appendix B. The new operating criteria set up
individual storage accounts for Kansas and each of the District
67 Ditches. The conservation storage is now released into the
storage accounts, and can then be delivered to the individual
downstream users at times when they decide it is needed.

ANALYSIS OF COMPACT OPERATION

In attempting to develop operating procedures for John

Martin Reservoir which would meet the intent of apportioning

the conservation benefits among both upstream and downstream

users, the Compact Commissioners apparently overlooked an im-

portant fact. Because the District 67 Ditches are precluded

from exercising their prior rights whenever there is water in

conservation storage, water is being exchanged upstream to

ditches in Districts 14 and 17 at the rate at which water

could have been called downstream to satisfy the call of senior
District 67 ditches. Consequently, most of the water in con-
servation storage is exchanged upstream of John Martin Reservoir
to the benefit of the ditches in Districts 14 and 17, with re-
gulation being the only benefit to the District 67 ditches. The
potential for this exchange, of course, varies from year to year.
The relative benefits received by upstream and downstream
ditches Can be evaluated by comparing diversion records for