Steve Harris, Harris Water Engineering, was kind enough to provide the following book review and comments on Delph Carpenter—father of water law and his legal work on the Colorado River Compact:

After more than 36 years working for state government, 33 of which were with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Randy Seaholm, Chief of the Water Supply Protection Division retired on November 6^th.

As many are aware, the Animas-La Plata (A-LP) project, which was authorized in 1968 through the Colorado River Basin Storage Project Act at 191,200 acre-feet (AF) of depletion[1], was reduced to 57,100 AF in 2000 as part as part of the Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act.

As the ancients and natives would attest, water conservation theory has been around since the beginning of time. Most societies that deal with a limited resource learn to use it wisely. The Anasazi were perfect examples. As rain catchers and chasers, they were a culture of true conservationists.  

The United States is using less water than during the peak years of 1975 and 1980, according to water use estimates for 2005. Despite a 30 percent population increase during the past 25 years, overall water use has remained fairly stable according to a new U.S. Geological Survey report.

Similar to previous years, if workshop evaluations are any indication, the Fourth Annual Water 101 Seminar, held in Telluride on September 25^th, was a resounding success. More than 65 participants attended to hear from a host of talented and diverse water experts on a variety of water-related topics.

Why can’t Colorado use every drop of water that falls in the state? The following provides a list of interstate compacts that limit how much Colorado can use from each basin:

Having served 12 years on the Animas-La Plata (ALP) Water Conservancy District Board of Directors, Doris Brennan stepped down from that position this past summer.