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Show 528 ADMINISTRATION OF STREAM WATER RIGHTS AND DISTRIBUTION that entered the decree. At the court's discretion, a hydrographic survey of the stream may be ordered. In administering the decree, State officials are officers of the court.75 The State Engineer also has authority to regulate distribution of water among various users under any ditch or reservoir whose rights have been adjudicated, or whose rights are listed with the clerk of a court pursuant to the water rights statute.76 New Mexico Supervision of apportionment of water in accordance with licenses and court decrees is vested in the State Engineer.77 He may create or change water districts from time to time when necessary.78 Upon written application of a majority of water users in a water district, the State Engineer appoints a watermaster who has immediate charge over the apportionment of water (under the general supervision of the Engineer) and he shall so appropriate, regulate, and control the waters as to prevent waste. In the absence of such an application, the State Engineer may appoint a watermaster for either tem- porary or permanent service if local conditions require it.79 The watermasters are to report such information to the State Engineer as he may require, such as the adequacy or inadequacy of the water supply, and the State Engineer shall correct any errors of apportionments as may be needed.80 During the existence of an emergency, and only during such time, he may employ assistants to serve under a watermaster.81 Any person may appeal from the acts or decisions of a watermaster to the State Engineer and thence to the district court.82 When water rights of New Mexico landowners have been litigated in the State or Federal courts of an adjoining State, the State Engineer's duty is to assume control over all or any part of such stream and to administer the same in the public interest. However, this does not apply to conservancy districts, irrigation districts, and Federal reclamation projects in the State.83 North Dakota This state originally had an ambitious statutory program of water rights administration, comprising water divisions, water districts, water commis- sioners, watermasters, and the Board of Water Commissioners with the State 7SId. § 533.310. 76Id. § 533.305(2). 77N. Mex. Stat. Ann. § 75-2-9 (1968). 78Id. § 75-3-1. 79 Id. § 75-3-2. 80Id. § 75-3-5. 81 Id. § 75-3-4. 82Id. § 75-3-3. 83Id. § 75-4-11. |