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CAN I CHANGE A POINT OF DIVERSION?

Seek guidance. Consult agency or attorney.

As flow characteristics within the river are heavily controlled, changing a diversion point can be difficult to accomplish.

If you are interested in changing the point of diversion associated with your water rights, contact the Gila Water Commissioner or ADWR. As a general rule, a water rights holder cannot transfer or change water flow in a way that injures or impacts another water holder on the stream. Whether the party has junior or senior water rights is secondary to the impact that the proposed transfer or diversion will have on fellow water users.

A change in the point of diversion can alter the fundamental character of the right in ways that may negatively impact the rights of other water users.

For more detailed instructions about changing your point of diversion contact the Gila Water Commissioner or ADWR. They can provide you with possible options for altering location or rate of surface water flows.

Stay up to date and involved on decisions with the New Mexico Gila River diversion projects.

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