Water Rights Rule Distribution of Resource in West
Water rights are big business in
Colorado and throughout the western United States . Water rights are seniority-based , meaning that older water right owners get priority on that water use . If you are the No . 50 user of a source of water , that means all 49 owners before you get to use their water first .
Mark Kempton , manager of the Soldier Canyon Water Treatment Authority , explained that Soldier Canyon is “ relatively junior ” in their water right compared to the neighboring cities of Fort Collins and Greeley , for example . Soldier Canyon was formed in the early 1960s , while older water rights the cities own date back to the late 1880s and early 1900s .
“ We have to do a lot of management of our water – where we take it , where we store it , and where and when we release it later ,” Kempton said , adding Soldier Canyon has three employees on staff whose sole duty is to deal with water rights . This is even more paramount in the West , where access to water is a growing concern .
“ Our staff spend a lot of time tracking water ,” he said . “ If we notice a discrepancy , that ’ s a big concern .”
Reed Rogers , a hydraulic engineering staff member at Ayres , said his involvement in taking flow measurements for the Soldier Canyon water loss study was particularly rewarding , knowing the high stakes water plays in Colorado .
“ Water rights and access to water will be more and more hotly contested when you ’ re literally fighting tooth and nail for a limited supply ,” Rogers said . “ Water availability is becoming more and more important , and it has been fascinating to be able to help with that .”
– Tawny Quast
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