WSP07822

• File Number: 8141
• Description: Fryingpan-Arkansas Project
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 1/1/1952
• Author: RM Gildersleeve
• Title: Development of the Water Supplies of the Arkansas River and Tributaries in Colorado
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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o water. The remaining 160,000 acres are irrigated from tributaries. Comprehensive

studies of the inadequacy of the water supplies to meet full irrigation require-

ments of all these areas have not been made. Indicative of conditions, however,

is an analysis of the amounts of water which have historically been applied, as

compe.red with ideal irrigation requirements for lands under the canal systems

diverting from the main river between the vicinity of Pueblo and John Martin

Reservoir. These canals serve an irrigated area of about 200,000 acres or 40 per-

cent of the total for the basin. The historic diversions of the study included

the amounts of direct flov" reservoir, and transmount8in water applied each year

during a 44 year period. It Vias detennined that. as an average for the period,

the actual diversions were more than 300,000 acre feet per year less than the

amount required at the headgates for a full water supply, properly distributed

throughout the irrigation season, to insure maximum yields in the production of

the diversified crops to which the area is suited.

The conservation capacity in John Martin Reservoir has alleviated to a

large extent the late season shortages which existed in the area below the dam

prior to its construction. However, there unquestionably remains a need for

further supplemental water supplies for presently irrigated lands on both the

main river and tributaries. Improved irrigation and conservation practices can

increase crop yields to some extent. There may be a few limited opportunities

for further storage of water which has not historically been a significant part

of the water supply available to John Martin Ri'servoir. But for any marked im-

provement in, or major expansion of present irrigation development, accompanied by

YC"'ter supplies adequate to the needs of expanding industries and growing urban

communities, the native water production of the Arkansas River basin must be sup-
pl"men~"d,.bw .t.;r=s.l>c~sin import.at,ion into the basin.