WSP07373

• File Number: 8142
• Description: Trinidad Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 9/1/1996
• Author: unknown
• Title: Draft Review of Operating Principles and Project Operations Trinidad Lake Project Colorado
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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State Engineer was approved for delivery of exchange water in the Arkansas River from its source

to the Las Animas gauge. This same method should be used for determination and assessment of

transit losses for delivery of water in the Arkansas River from its source to the point of the one

for one exchange at the confluence of the Arkansas and Purgatoire Rivers. The United States

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Geological Survey is currently conducting a transit time and loss study for regulated flows in the

Purgatoire River from Trinidad Reservoir to its mouth, If this study results in a methodology that

can be used and adopted by the Colorado State Engineer for administration of water rights and

distribution of water in the Purgatoire River, it should be used for determination and assessment
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of transit losses for a one for one e~~~!I~:, at the confluence of the Arkansas and Purgatoire (~0>""1- $'

Rivers, Otherwise, the Colorado State Engineer should either use existing or develop a suitable i\-~' wJ.-
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methodology for determination and assessment of transit losses in the Purgatoire River from ~.....

Trinidad Reservoir to its mouth for the one for one exchange at the confluence of the Arkansas

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and Purgatoire Rivers,
L: s:ckw~Releasest -----------
In April of 1993, Kansas requested a copy of the monthly reservoir reports for Trinidad

Reservoir from the beginning of 1985 to the present. .In review of those records Kansas
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concluded that the District had stored more than 20,000 acre feet of water at one time in 1992. In

response to Kansas' allegation the Colorado State Engineer also conducted a detailed review of

the records, and concluded that the District had not stored more than 20,000 acre feet including

canyover storage in the transferred Model Reservoir Right since November 1, 1988. However,

the Colorado State Engineer concluded that stock water releases were not being made at rates

specified in the operating principles, and so advised Kansas in his letter of September 24, 1993.

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