Russell, John F 1984, 1985
John F. Russell discusses water rights and the Lewis case involving underground water use in and around the Roswell basin of New Mexico.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: John F. Russell
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: May 11, 1984; April 3, 1985
Location: Roswell, New Mexico
Interviewer: Richard Mason
Length: 2 hours 8 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: John F. Russell, background,
Education,
Career,
Air Force,
Law school,
New Mexico,
Water rights,
Adjudication Suit (1956),
Role of state engineer,
Mescalero Indians’ role,
Federal Land Bank,
Petition (1920s),
Water table,
New Mexico Water Laws (1931),
Artesian Conservation District,
Pecos River Conservation District,
Conservation practices (1950s),
Salt water,
Roswell Basin,
Supplemental wells,
Texas versus New Mexico Lawsuit,
Pecos River Compact.
Tape 1, Side 2: El Paso, Texas,
Attempts to drill wells,
Transportation of water,
Legislation,
Court cases,
Prior appropriation,
Senior rights,
Junior rights,
Water levels (1982),
Conservation District,
Waste water management,
Five year water allotments,
Record keeping,
Allotments (water duties),
Irrigation systems,
Loan requirements,
Water rights,
Purchase,
Roswell Water Development Corporation,
Water rights.
Tape 2, Side 1: Roswell Water Development Corporation (continued),
Water rights,
Roswell, New Mexico,
Expansion,
Lack of agriculture,
City council,
Water right acquisition,
Reduction of water rights,
Conservation practices,
Domestic consumption.
Tape 2, Side 2: Blank
Tape 3, Side 1: Early projects of Roswell Basin Conservation,
District,
Plugging existing wells,
Lining ditches with concrete,
Adjudication of underground water through Lewis case,
Extension of case to recharge sources,
Contract with Interstate Streams Commission,
Purposes,
Amendments of Lewis case for sprinkler systems,
Measurement of water levels (1970-present),
Purchase and retirement of water rights (1964-present),
Priority questions,
Expansions of Lewis case (again),
End result,
Original suit filed,
Well metering,
Extension of boundaries,
Sale of water rights,
Drilling outside of originally declared basin,
Well metering (again),
Formula used for assessing duty,
Areas with no duty.
Tape 3, Side 2: Well metering (continued),
Three acre feet appropriation,
Hardships for farmer,
Problems encountered,
Carriage loss,
Water administrators,
State Engineer,
Water Master,
Duties,
Carriage loss (again),
Effect on water budget,
Goals of New Mexico ground water statutes,
Ogallala Basin,
Roswell Basin,
Appropriation,
Guidelines for determination,
Hondo basin,
General,
State Engineer vs. Dougherty,
Pecos Valley Agualantes,
Sale of water rights,
Water levels for basin,
Stabilization,
Expansions of Lewis Case.
Range Dates: 1920s-1985
Bulk Dates: 1930-1985
Access Information
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Transcript:
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