Colorado Code § 37-68-101

Amended Costilla Creek compact
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this section
The general assembly hereby ratifies
the amended compact between the state of Colorado and the state of New Mexico, designated as
the "Amended Costilla Creek Compact", signed in the city of Santa Fe, state of New Mexico, on
the seventh day of February, A. D. 1963, by J. E. Whitten, commissioner for the state of
Colorado, and S. E. Reynolds, commissioner for the state of New Mexico, which said amended
compact is as follows:
Amended Costilla Creek Compact
The state of Colorado and the state of New Mexico, parties signatory to this compact
(hereinafter referred to as "Colorado" and "New Mexico," respectively, or individually as a
"state," or collectively as the "states"), having on September 30, 1944 concluded, through their
duly authorized commissioners, to-wit: Clifford H. Stone for Colorado and Thomas M. McClure
for New Mexico, a compact with respect to the water of Costilla Creek, an interstate stream,
which compact was ratified by the states in 1945 and was approved by the congress of the
United States in 1946; and
The states, having resolved to conclude an amended compact with respect to the waters
of Costilla Creek, have designated, pursuant to the acts of their respective legislatures and
through their appropriate executive agencies, as their commissioners:
J. E. Whitten, for Colorado
S. E. Reynolds, for New Mexico
who, after negotiations, have agreed upon these articles:
Article I
The major purposes of this compact are to provide for the equitable division and
apportionment of the use of the waters of Costilla Creek; to promote interstate comity; to remove
causes of present and future interstate controversies; to assure the most efficient utilization of the
waters of Costilla Creek; to provide for the integrated operation of existing and prospective
irrigation facilities on the stream in the two states; to adjust the conflicting jurisdictions of the
two states over irrigation works and facilities diverting and storing waters in one state for use in
both states; to equalize the benefits of water from Costilla Creek, used for the irrigation of
contiguous lands lying on either side of the Boundary, between the citizens and water users of
one state and those of the other; and to place the beneficial application of water diverted from
Costilla Creek for irrigation by the water users of the two states on a common basis.
The physical and other conditions peculiar to the Costilla Creek and its basin, and the
nature and location of the irrigation development and the facilities in connection therewith,
constitute the basis for this compact; and neither of the States hereby, nor the Congress of the
United States by its consent, concedes that this compact establishes any general principle or
precedent with respect to any other interstate stream.
Article II
As used in this compact, the following names, terms and expressions are described,
defined, applied and taken to mean as in this article set forth:
(a) "Costilla Creek" is a tributary of the Rio Grande which rises on the west slope of the
Sangre de Cristo range in the extreme southeastern corner of Costilla County in Colorado and
flows in a general westerly direction crossing the boundary three times above its confluence with
the Rio Grande in New Mexico.
(b) The "Canyon Mouth" is that point on Costilla Creek in New Mexico where the
stream leaves the mountains and emerges into the San Luis Valley.
(c) The "Amalia Area" is that irrigated area in New Mexico above the Canyon Mouth
and below the Costilla Reservoir which is served by decreed direct flow water rights.
(d) The "Costilla-Garcia Area" is that area extending from the Canyon Mouth in New
Mexico to a point in Colorado about four miles downstream from the boundary, being a compact
body of irrigated land on either side of Costilla Creek served by decreed direct flow water rights.
(e) The "Eastdale Reservoir No. 1" is that off-channel reservoir located in Colorado in
sections 7, 8 and 18, township 1 north, range 73 west, and sections 12 and 13, township 1 north,
range 74 west, of the Costilla Estates survey, with a nominal capacity of three thousand four
hundred sixty-eight (3,468) acre-feet and a present usable capacity of two thousand (2,000) acre-
feet.
(f) The "Eastdale Reservoir No. 2" is that off-channel reservoir located in Colorado in
sections 3, 4, 9 and 10, township 1 north, range 73 west, of the Costilla Estates survey, with
nominal capacity of three thousand forty-one (3,041) acre-feet.
(g) The "Costilla Reservoir" is that channel reservoir, having a nominal capacity of
fifteen thousand seven hundred (15,700) acre-feet, located in New Mexico near the headwaters
of Costilla Creek. The present usable capacity of the reservoir is eleven thousand (11,000) acre-
feet, subject to future adjustment by the state engineer of New Mexico. The condition of Costilla
Dam may be such that the state engineer of New Mexico will not permit storage above a
determined stage except for short periods of time.
(h) The "Cerro Canal" is that irrigation canal which diverts water from the left bank of
Costilla Creek in New Mexico near the southwest corner of section 12, township 1 south, range
73 west, of the Costilla Estates survey, and runs in a northwesterly direction to the boundary
near Boundary Monument No. 140.
(i) The "boundary" is the term used herein to describe the common boundary line
between Colorado and New Mexico.
(j) The term "Costilla Reservoir System" means and includes the Costilla Reservoir and
the Cerro Canal, the permits for the storage of water in Costilla Reservoir, the twenty-four and
fifty-two hundredths (24.52) cubic feet per second of time of direct flow water rights transferred
to the Cerro Canal, and the permits for the diversion of direct flow water by the Cerro Canal as
adjusted herein to seventy-five and forty-eight hundredths (75.48) cubic feet per second of time.
(k) The term "Costilla Reservoir System Safe Yield" means that quantity of usable water
made available each year by the Costilla Reservoir System. The safe yield represents the most
beneficial operation of the Costilla Reservoir System through the use, first, of the total usable
portion of the yield of the twenty-four and fifty-two hundredths (24.52) cubic feet per second of
time of direct flow rights transferred to the Cerro Canal, second, of the total usable portion of the
yield of the direct flow Cerro Canal permits, and third, of that portion of the water stored in
Costilla Reservoir required to complete such safe yield.
(l) The term "usable capacity" is defined and means that capacity of Costilla Reservoir at
the stage above which the state engineer of New Mexico will not permit storage except for short
periods of time.
(m) The term "temporary storage" is defined and means the water permitted by the state
engineer of New Mexico to be stored in Costilla Reservoir for short periods of time above the
usable capacity of that reservoir.
(n) The term "additional storage facilities" is defined and means storage capacity which
may be provided in either state to impound waters of Costilla Creek and its tributaries in addition
to the nominal capacity of Costilla Reservoir and the Costilla Creek complement of the Eastdale
Reservoir No. 1 capacity.
(o) The term "duty of water" is defined as the rate in cubic feet per second of time at
which water may be diverted at the headgate to irrigate a specified acreage of land during the
period of maximum requirement.
(p) The term "surplus water" is defined and means water which cannot be stored in
operating reservoirs during the storage season or water during the irrigation season which cannot
be stored in operating reservoirs and which is in excess of the aggregate direct flow rights and
permits recognized by this compact.
(q) The term "irrigation season" is defined and means that period of each calendar year
from May 16 to September 30, inclusive.
(r) The term "storage season" is defined and means that period of time extending from
October 1 of one year to May 15 of the succeeding year, inclusive.
(s) The term "points of interstate delivery" means and includes (1) the Acequia Madre
where it crosses the boundary; (2) the Costilla Creek where it crosses the boundary; (3) the Cerro
Canal where it reaches the boundary; and (4) any other interstate canals which might be
constructed with the approval of the commission at the point or points where they cross the
boundary.
(t) The term "water company" means The San Luis Power and Water Company, a
Colorado corporation, or its successor.
(u) The word "commission" means the Costilla Creek Compact commission created by
Article VIII of this compact for the administration thereof.
Article III
1. To accomplish the purposes of this compact, as set forth in Article I, the following
adjustments in the operation of irrigation facilities on Costilla Creek, and in the use of water
diverted, stored and regulated thereby, are made:
(a) The quantity of water delivered for use in the two states by direct flow ditches in the
Costilla-Garcia Area and by the Cerro Canal is based on a duty of water of one cubic foot per
second of time for each eighty (80) acres, to be applied in the order of priority; provided,
however, that this adjustment in each instance is based on the acreage as determined by the court
in decreeing the water rights for the Costilla-Garcia Area, and in the case of the Cerro Canal
such basis shall apply to eight thousand (8,000) acres of land. In order to better maintain a usable
head for the diversion of water for beneficial consumptive use the adjusted maximum diversion
rate under the water right of each of the ditches supplying water for the Costilla-Garcia Area in
Colorado is not less than one cubic foot per second of time.
(b) There is transferred from certain ditches in the Costilla-Garcia Area twenty-four and
fifty-two hundredths (24.52) cubic feet per second of time of direct flow water rights, which
rights of use are held by the water company or its successors in title, to the headgate of the Cerro
Canal. The twenty-four and fifty-two hundredths (24.52) cubic feet of water per second of time
hereby transferred represents an evaluation of these rights after adjustment in the duty of water,
pursuant to subsection (a) of this Article, and includes a reduction thereof to compensate for
increased use of direct flow water which otherwise would have been possible under these rights
by this transfer.
(c) Except for the rights to store water from Costilla Creek in Eastdale Reservoir No. 1
as hereinafter provided, all diversion and storage rights from Costilla Creek for Eastdale
Reservoirs No. 1 and No. 2 are relinquished and the water decreed thereunder is returned to the
creek for use in accordance with the plan of integrated operation effectuated by this compact.
(d) The Cerro Canal direct flow permit shall be seventy-five and forty-eight hundredths
(75.48) cubic feet per second of time.
(e) There is transferred to and made available for the irrigation of lands in Colorado a
portion of the Costilla Reservoir complement of the Costilla Reservoir System Safe Yield in
order that the storage of water in that reservoir may be made for the benefit of water users in
both Colorado and New Mexico under the provisions of this compact for the allocations of water
and the operation of facilities.
2. Each state grants for the benefit of the other and its water users the rights to change
the points of diversion of water from Costilla Creek, to divert water from the stream in one state
for use in the other and to store water in one state for the irrigation of lands in the other, insofar
as the exercise of such rights may be necessary to effectuate the provisions of this Article and to
comply with the terms of this compact.
3. The water company has consented to and approved the adjustments contained in this
Article; and such consent and approval shall be evidenced in writing and filed with the
commission.
Article IV
The apportionment and allocation of the use of Costilla Creek water shall be as follows:
(a) There is allocated for diversion from the natural flow of Costilla Creek and its
tributaries sufficient water for beneficial use on meadow and pasture lands above Costilla
Reservoir in New Mexico to the extent and in the manner now prevailing in that area.
(b) There is allocated for diversion from the natural flow of Costilla Creek and its
tributaries thirteen and forty-two hundredths (13.42) cubic feet of water per second of time for
beneficial use on lands in the Amalia Area in New Mexico.
(c) In addition to allocations made in subsections (e), (f) and (g) of this Article, there is
allocated for diversion from the natural flow of Costilla Creek fifty and sixty-two hundredths
(50.62) cubic feet of water per second of time for Colorado and eighty-nine and eight hundredths
(89.08) cubic feet of water per second of time for New Mexico, subject to adjustment as
provided in Article V (e), and such water shall be delivered for beneficial use in the two states in
accordance with the schedules and under the conditions set forth in Article V.
(d) There is allocated for diversion from the natural flow of Costilla Creek sufficient
water to provide each year one thousand (1,000) acre-feet of stored water in Eastdale Reservoir
No. 1, such water to be delivered as provided in Article V.
(e) There is allocated for diversion to Colorado thirty-six and five-tenths per cent
(36.5%) and to New Mexico sixty-three and five-tenths per cent (63.5%) of the water stored by
Costilla Reservoir for release therefrom for irrigation purposes each year, subject to adjustment
as provided in Article V (e) and such water shall be delivered for beneficial use in the two states
on a parity basis in accordance with the provisions of Article V. By "parity basis" is meant that
neither state shall enjoy a priority of right of use.
(f) There is allocated for beneficial use in each of the states of Colorado and New
Mexico one-half of the surplus water, as defined in Article II (p), to be delivered as provided in
Article V.
(g) There is allocated for beneficial use in each of the states of Colorado and New
Mexico one-half of any water made available and usable by additional storage facilities which
may be constructed in the future.
Article V
The operation of the facilities of Costilla Creek and the delivery of water for the
irrigation of land in Colorado and New Mexico, in accordance with the allocations made in
Article IV, shall be as follows:
(a) Diversions of water for use on lands in the Amalia Area shall be made as set forth in
Article IV (b) in the order of decreed priorities in New Mexico and of relative priority dates in
the two states, subject to the right of New Mexico to change the points of diversion and places of
use of any of such water to other points of diversion and places of use; provided, however, that
the rights so transferred shall be limited in each instance to the quantity of water actually
consumed on the lands from which the right is transferred.
(b) Deliveries to Colorado of direct flow water below the Canyon Mouth shall be made
by New Mexico in accordance with the following schedule:
Deliveries of Direct Flow Water to Colorado During Irrigation Season
Usable Incremental Points of Cumulative Remarks
Discharge Allocations Interstate Allocations
of Creek at to Colorado Delivery to Colorado
Canyon (C.F.S.) (C.F.S.)
Mouth
Gaging
Station
(C.F.S.)
(1) (2A) (2B) (3) (4) (5)
25.00 1.05 Acequia Incremental allocation is
4.2%
Madre of the usable discharge when
usable discharge is less than
25.00 C.F.S.
2.53 Cerro Canal Incremental allocation is
10.13%
of the usable discharge when
usable discharge is less than
25.00 C.F.S.
4.70 Cerro Canal 8.28 This 4.70 C.F.S. is not a part
of the Colorado allocation of
the direct flow water of the
Costilla Reservoir System
and is not subject to
adjustment in the event of
a change in the usable
capacity of Costilla
Reservoir.
Incremental allocation is
18.8% of the usable
discharge
when usable discharge is less
than 25.00 C.F.S. This 4.70
C.F.S. allocated to Colorado
for delivery through the
Cerro
Canal is 5.50 C.F.S. of the
original 6.55 C.F.S. allocated
to Colorado for delivery
through the Acequia Madre
less 0.8 C.F.S. correction for
losses.
36.88 .38 Cerro Canal This 0.38 C.F.S. is not a part
of the Colorado allocation
of the direct flow water of
the Costilla Reservoir System
and is not subject to
adjustment
in the event of a change in
the
usable capacity of Costilla
Reservoir. Incremental
allocation is 3.26% of the
usable discharge in excess
of 25.38 C.F.S. and less
than 36.88 C.F.S.
4.04 Cerro Canal 12.70 Incremental allocation is
35.11% of the usable
discharge
in excess of 25.38 C.F.S. and
less than 36.88 C.F.S.
38.62 1.00 Creek 13.70 Incremental allocation is
100% of the usable discharge
in excess of 37.62 C.F.S. and
less than 38.62 C.F.S.
44.76 2.24 Cerro Canal 15.94 Incremental allocation is
36.5% of the usable
discharge
in excess of 38.62 C.F.S. and
less than 44.76 C.F.S.
50.91 6.00 Creek 21.94 Incremental allocation is
100% of the usable discharge
in excess of 44.91 C.F.S. and
less than 50.91 C.F.S. 
56.48 .13 Cerro Canal 22.07 Incremental allocation is
11.18% of the usable
discharge
in excess of 55.35 C.F.S. and
less than 56.48 C.F.S.
61.48 1.00 Creek 23.07 Incremental allocation is
100% of the usable discharge
in excess of 60.48 C.F.S. and
less than 61.48 C.F.S.
64.22 At usable creek discharge of
64.22 C.F.S. the Cerro Canal
direct flow permit becomes
operative after 1,000 acre-
feet
has been stored in Eastdale
Reservoir No. 1.
139.70 27.55 Cerro Canal 50.62 Incremental allocation is
36.5% of the usable
discharge
in excess of 64.22 C.F.S. and
less than 139.70 C.F.S.
The actual discharges of Costilla Creek at the Canyon Mouth Gaging Station at which the
various blocks of direct flow water become effective shall equal the flows set forth in column (1)
increased by the transmission losses necessary to deliver those flows to the headgates of the
respective direct flow ditches diverting in New Mexico.
The delivery of ditch water at the boundary shall equal the allocation set forth in columns
(2a) and (2b) reduced by the transmission losses between the headgate of the ditch and the point
where the ditch crosses the boundary. The allocations to be delivered to Colorado through the
Cerro Canal represent, except as otherwise indicated in column (5) of the table above, 36.5
percent of those blocks of direct flow water of the Costilla Reservoir System which are subject
to adjustment as provided in subsection (e) of this article.
The provisions of article III (1)(a) shall not be applicable to the Colorado allocation of
5.08 C.F.S. which is transferred from the Acequia Madre to the Cerro Canal by this amendment
to the Costilla Creek compact and shall not be applicable to the 0.8 C.F.S. which is transferred
from Colorado to New Mexico by this amendment to the Costilla Creek compact.
The above table is compiled on the basis of the delivery to Colorado at the boundary of
thirty-six and five-tenths percent (36.5%) of all direct flow water of the Costilla Reservoir
System diverted by the Cerro Canal and the delivery at the boundary of all other direct flow
water allocated to Colorado, in the order of priority, all such deliveries to be adjusted for
transmission losses. In the event of change in the usable capacity of the Costilla Reservoir,
Colorado's share of all direct flow water of the Costilla Reservoir System diverted by the Cerro
Canal, to be delivered at the boundary and adjusted for transmission losses, shall be determined
by the percentages set forth in column (4) of the table which appears in subsection (e) of this
article.
(c) During the storage season, no water shall be diverted under direct flow rights unless
there is water in excess of the demand of all operating reservoirs for water from Costilla Creek
for storage.
(d) In order to assure the most efficient utilization of the available water supply, the
filling of Eastdale Reservoir No. 1 from Costilla Creek shall be commenced as early in the
spring as possible and shall be completed as soon thereafter as possible. The Cerro Canal or any
other ditch which may be provided for that purpose shall be used, insofar as practicable, to
convey the water from the Canyon Mouth to Eastdale Reservoir No. 1. During any season when
the commission determines that there will be no surplus water, any diversions, waste or spill
from any canal or canals supplying Eastdale Reservoir No. 1 will be charged to the quantity of
water diverted for delivery to said reservoir.
(e) The commission shall estimate each year the safe yield of Costilla Reservoir System
and its component parts as far in advance of the irrigation season as possible, and shall review
and revise such estimates from time to time as may be necessary.
In the event the usable capacity of the Costilla Reservoir changes, the average safe yield
and the equitable division thereof between the states shall be determined in accordance with the
following table:
Usable Average
Capacity Annual Division of Safe Yield
of Costilla Safe Yield Colorado New Mexico
Reservoir (acre-feet) (acre-feet) (percent) (acre-feet) (percent)
 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
 0 1,800 1,510 83.9 290 16.1
 1,000 3,400 2,000 58.8 1,400 41.2
 2,000 4,900 2,450 50.0 2,450 50.0
 3,000 6,400 2,910 45.5 3,490 54.5
 4,000 7,900 3,370 42.7 4,530 57.3
 5,000 9,300 3,800 40.9 5,500 59.1
 6,000 10,700 4,220 39.4 6,480 60.6
 7,000 12,000 4,620 38.5 7,380 61.5
 8,000 13,200 4,990 37.8 8,210 62.2
 9,000 14,300 5,320 37.2 8,980 62.8
10,000 15,200 5,600 36.8 9,600 63.2
11,000 16,000 5,840 36.5 10,160 63.5
12,000 16,600 6,020 36.3 10,580 63.7
13,000 17,000 6,140 36.1 10,860 63.9
14,000 17,400 6,270 36.0 11,130 64.0
15,000 17,700 6,360 35.9 11,340 64.1
15,700 17,900 6,420 35.9 11,480 64.1
Intermediate quantities shall be computed by proportionate parts.
In the event of change in the usable capacity of the Costilla Reservoir, the Costilla
Reservoir complement of the Costilla Reservoir System Safe Yield shall be divided between
Colorado and New Mexico in accordance with the percentages given in columns 4 and 6,
respectively, of the above table.
Each state may draw from the reservoir in accordance with the allocations made herein,
up to its proportion of the Costilla Reservoir complement of the Costilla Reservoir System Safe
Yield and its proportion of temporary storage and no more. Colorado may call for the delivery of
its share thereof at any of the specified points of interstate delivery.
Deliveries of water from Costilla Reservoir to the Canyon Mouth shall be adjusted for
transmission losses, if any, between the two points. Deliveries to Colorado at the boundary shall
be further adjusted for transmission losses from the Canyon Mouth to the respective points of
interstate delivery.
Water stored in Costilla Reservoir and not released during the current season shall not be
held over to the credit of either state but shall be apportioned when the safe yield is subsequently
determined.
(f) The Colorado apportionment of surplus water, as allocated in Article IV (f), shall be
delivered by New Mexico at such points of interstate delivery and in the respective quantities,
subject to transmission losses, requested by the Colorado member of the commission.
(g) In the event that additional water becomes usable by the construction of additional
storage facilities, such water shall be made available to each state in accordance with rules and
regulations to be prescribed by the commission.
(h) When it appears to the commission that any part of the water allocated to one state
for use in a particular year will not be used by that state, the commission may permit its use by
the other state during that year, provided that a permanent right to the use of such water shall not
thereby be established.
Article VI
The desirability of consolidating various of the direct flow ditches serving the Costilla-
Garcia Area, which are now or which would become interstate in character by consolidation, and
diverting the water available to such ditches through a common headgate is recognized. Should
the owners of any of such ditches, or a combination of them, desire to effectuate a consolidation
and provide for a common headgate diversion, application therefor shall be made to the
commission which, after review of the plans submitted, may grant permission to make such
consolidation.
Article VII
The commission shall cause to be maintained and operated a streamgaging-station,
equipped with an automatic water-stage recorder, at each of the following points, to-wit:
(a) On Costilla Creek immediately below Costilla Reservoir.
(b) On Costilla Creek at or near the Canyon Mouth above the headgate of Cerro Canal
and below the Amalia Area.
(c) On Costilla Creek at or near the boundary.
(d) On the Cerro Canal immediately below its headgate.
(e) On the Cerro Canal at or near the boundary.
(f) On the intake from Costilla Creek to the Eastdale Reservoir No. 1, immediately
above the point where the intake discharges into the reservoir.
(g) On the Acequia Madre immediately below its headgate.
(h) On the Acequia Madre at the boundary.
(i) Similar gaging stations shall be maintained and operated at such other points as may
be necessary in the discretion of the commission for the securing of records required for the
carrying out of the provisions of the compact.
Such gaging stations shall be equipped, maintained, and operated by the commission
directly or in cooperation with an appropriate federal or state agency, and the equipment,
method, and frequency of measurement at such stations shall be such as to produce reliable
records at all times.
Article VIII
The two states shall administer this compact through the official in each state who is now
or may hereafter be charged with the duty of administering the public water supplies, and such
officials shall constitute the Costilla Creek Compact Commission. In addition to the powers and
duties hereinbefore specifically conferred upon such commission, the commission shall collect
and correlate factual data and maintain records having a bearing upon the administration of this
compact. In connection therewith, the commission may employ such engineering and other
assistance as may be reasonably necessary within the limits of funds provided for that purpose
by the states. The commission may, by unanimous action, adopt rules and regulations consistent
with the provisions of this compact to govern its proceedings. The salaries and expenses of the
members of the commission shall be paid by their respective states. Other expenses incident to
the administration of the compact, including the employment of engineering or other assistance
and the establishment and maintenance of compact gaging stations, not borne by the United
States shall be assumed equally by the two states and paid directly to the commission upon
vouchers submitted for that purpose.
The United States geological survey, or whatever federal agency may succeed to the
functions and duties of that agency, shall collaborate with the commission in the correlation and
publication of water facts necessary for the proper administration of this compact.
Article IX
This amended compact shall become operative when ratified by the legislatures of the
signatory states and consented to by the Congress of the United States; provided, that, except as
changed herein, the provisions, terms, conditions and obligations of the Costilla Creek Compact
executed on September 30, 1944, continue in full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the commissioners have signed this compact in triplicate
original, one copy of which shall be deposited in the archives of the department of state of the
United States of America, and one copy of which shall be forwarded to the governor of each of
the signatory states.
Done in the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, on the 7th day of February, in the year of our
Lord, one thousand nine hundred and sixty-three.
(Signed) J. E. Whitten,
Commissioner for Colorado.
(Signed) S. E. Reynolds,
Commissioner for New Mexico.

‹ Prev All Colorado sections Next ›


Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.