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Show 300 WAR FOR THE COLORADO RIVER of measurement must be the one defined in the Project Act and the Mexican Water Treaty, i.e., the quantity consumed in growing crops, usually measured by diversions less returns to the river. This represents another encroachment upon us of about 500,000 acre-feet per year. MINIMUM GUARANTEE 3. That if the Upper Basin releases 75,000,000 acre-feet in each ten-year period, it may keep and use all the rest. We say that this turns the Compact upside down: That the Upper Basin is protected against the law of appropriation only to the extent of a maximum of 7,500,000 acre-feet per annum, all the rest must come down to satisfy the Treaty and Lower Basin appropriations, and the 75,000,000 acre-feet guarantee is a minimum. The Mexican Water Treaty was presented to the Senate on the assumption that an average of at least 90,000,000 acre-feet would be available at Lee Ferry per ten- year period, over a long-time average. WATER CAN'T BE WITHHELD 4. That the water which escapes consumptive use in the Upper Basin may be impounded downstream at Glen Canyon or other dams, and withheld there for power generation, even though required for irrigation and domestic use in the Lower Basin, so long as 75,000,000 acre-feet are allowed to flow past Lee's Ferry in each ten-year period. We deny this and say that under Articles in (b), in (e) and iv of the Compact, water appropriated in the Lower Basin, even though excess or sur- plus waters, may not be withheld from us in the Upper Basin for the generation of power. Johnson Statement: On some of these points, it was re- freshing to read the candid statement of Governor Ed John- son of Colorado, released December 20, 1954. After quoting from the reports of the Compact negotiators to Congress, and the legislatures, in 1923, Governor Johnson said: I am compelled to keep emphasizing that whatever water is stored in the Glen Canyon and Echo Park reser- voirs will be surplus to the agricultural and domestic needs of the Upper Basin, and must be delivered to the |
