17 



ditch, canal, or reservoir shut down and the water given to the eUU»r 

 ditch, canal, or reservoir." These orders are issued to the water com- 

 missioners, who have no discretion in the matter but to obey them. 

 How^ever, there is reported one case where a commissioner refused to 

 obey such an order, and the superintendent reported to the State 

 engineer that it would take the whole State militia to enforce his 

 order, and therefore he thought best not to undertake its enforcement. 



The division engineers have general supervision of the water com- 

 missioners in their districts, may order them on duty before they are 

 called out by the water users, and may ])erform the duties of the com- 

 missioners if occasion requires. They collect data concerning reser- 

 voirs, reservoir sites, and flow^ of streams and perform such other 

 duties as are assigned by the State engineer. 



Complaints against the actions of the water commissioners are made 

 to the division engineers and complaints against his actions to the 

 State engineer. Appeals from division engineers' rulings may like- 

 wise be taken to the State engineer. The procedure for trial of 

 charges against an engineer is the same as for trial of a commissioner, 

 except that trial is held by the State engineer instead of the division 

 engineer. 



The division engineers and the State engineer hold a meeting in 

 November of each year, when the reports of the division engineers are 

 presented, and a general discussion of irrigation nuxtters in the State 

 is held. 



Division engineers are appointed from the divisions in which they 

 are to serve, from list of eligibles secured by examinations given by 

 the State engineer. The examinations include questions as to meas- 

 urements of streams, laws and customs relating to irrigation and w^ater 

 rights in Colorado, and the experience of the applicant. The appoint- 

 ments are made by the governor for terms of two years. The salary 

 is $125 per month for the time actually put in and expenses necessarily 

 incurred not to exceed $500 per annum for each engineer. The engi- 

 neers usually put in fidl time, making the salary $1,500 per annum. 

 There are five division engineers, making the total possible expense to 

 the State for their salaries and expenses $10,000 per year. 



THE STATE ENGINEER. 



The State engineer is the nominal head of the administrative system 

 of the State, but, in fact, he has less to do with distributing water than 

 either the division engineers or the water commissioners. The com- 

 missioners actually distribute the water and the division engineers 

 make rules and issue orders to the commissioners regarding the dis- 

 tribution, but the State engineer has no jurisdiction except as matters 

 come up to him on appeal from the rulings of the division engineers or 

 for review after the division engineers have passed on them. 

 31774— No. 168—06 2 



