OCR Text |
Show 126 VIII. Present Uses on the Mainstream The tables printed hereafter show the scale of uses of water from the Colorado River in the Lower Basin as of the taking of evidence in this action. These tables would be most helpful if they showed the use of Colorado River water in Arizona, California and Nevada measured in terms of consumptive use (diversions from the mainstream less return flow thereto), since the recommended decree apportions water in those terms. The figures for California and Nevada are given in terms of consumptive use. However, the evidence presented as to uses in Arizona is in terms of diversions which cannot, on this record, be translated into consumptive use. Substantially all the Arizona uses (other than uses on Indian Reservations) occur in the general vicinity of Imperial Dam and are supplied with water diverted by that dam. Figures are available for total diversions.62 No figures are available, however, for return flow. The Arizona witness who testified regarding these uses said on cross-examination that he had no knowledge of the magnitude of return flow.68 However, on re-direct examination, the witness estimated return flow from drains to be approximately 150,000 acre-feet.64 Apparently, even this figure does not purport to be the total return flow from water diverted for use in Arizona at Imperial Dam. California's method of calculating consumptive use of these Arizona projects is no more helpful. For example, for Wellton-Mohawk, she takes the figure for irrigated acreage from Arizona Exhibit 186. She then applies a consumptive use rate of 3.76 acre-feet per acre. This figure was derived "by dividing minimum project consumptive use requirements ... of 282,100 acre-feet by 75,000" acres of 82See Ariz. Ex. 186. 83Tr. 2376, 2403-2407, 2412-2413, 2525-2534 (Steenbergen). 64Tr. 2621-2623 (Steenbergen). |
Source |
Original Report: State of Arizona, complainant v. State of California, Palo Verde Irrigation District, Imperial Irrigation District, Coachella Valley County Water District, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, City of Los Angeles, California, City of San Diego, California, and County of San Diego, California |