N.M. Stat. § 72-15-13
[Amended Costilla Creek Compact.]
The state of New Mexico does hereby ratify, approve and adopt the Amended
Costilla Creek Compact, amending the Costilla Creek Compact ratified and approved by
this legislature by the Laws of 1945, Chapter 51, which 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 waters 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 [this section] 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 water 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 a 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, locatted [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 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 percent
(36.5%) and to New Mexico sixty-three and five-tenths percent (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 acocrdance [accordance] with the following schedule:
DELIVERIES OF DIRECT FLOW TO COLORADO DURING
IRRIGATION SEASON
Usable
discharge
of creek at
canyon mouth
gaging station
(C.F.S.)
Incremental
allocations
to Colorado
(C.F.S.)
Point of
interstate
delivery
Cumulative
allocations
to
Colorado
(C.F.S.)
Remarks
____________________________________________________________________
_____________________
(1)
(2a)
2(b)
(3)
(4)
(5)
25.00
1.05
Acequia
Madre
Incremental
allocation is
4.2% 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.
allcoated
[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 flow 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
Averag
e
Division of Safe Yield
capacity
annual
Colorado
New Mexico
of
Costilla
safe
yield
________________________
_
________________________
_
reservoi
r
(acre-
feet)
(acre-feet)
(percent)
(acre-feet)
(percent)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
1,800
1,510
83.9
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 stream-gaging 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 [this section] 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.
J. E. Whitten Commissioner for Colorado
S. E. Reynolds Commissioner for New Mexico