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Interstate Stream Commission

La Plata River Compact

Dividing the waters of the La Plata River between Colorado and New Mexico, the La Plata River Compact was signed in 1922 and approved by Congress in 1925.

The compact provides that the state engineers of the two states shall administer the water of the La Plata in accordance with the terms of the compact. This requires daily administration of the flows of the La Plata River except from December 1 through February 15.

The compact also provides cooperative collection, exchange, and publication of streamflow data. Commission staff monitors and evaluates the daily operation of the river and assists the State Engineer in administering the compact.

The La Plata Conservancy District employs a water master to supervise water diversion within the district in New Mexico. The water master and the district’s board of directors cooperate with the commission staff to collect data necessary for the daily operation analysis.