Teton Coop. Reservoir Co. v. Farmer Coop. Canal Co.
Annotate this CaseFarmers Cooperative Canal Company (FCCC) was incorporated in 1897 for the purpose of appropriating, transporting, and using irrigation water from the Teton River. FCCC acquired two water rights with priority dates of 1895 and 1897. FCCC constructed two reservoirs, Harvey Lake Reservoir in 1913 and Farmers Reservoir in 1942. Using its reservoirs, FCCC began to store portions of the water diverted to it during the year, which allowed it to release water as needed throughout the year. Based on its rights and these practices, FCCC filed statements of claim for its 1895 and 1897 rights, claiming use of the two reservoirs as part of those rights. Teton Cooperative Reservoir Company (TCRC) objected to FCCC’s claims, arguing that FCCC’s reservoirs were not part of its 1895 or 1897 rights and, instead, were new, independent appropriations not entitled to the priority dates of either claim. The Water Court concluded that the reservoirs could be used as part of the 1895 and 1897 rights because they did not expand the period of diversion, volume, or flow rate of those rights. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that the Water Court correctly concluded that FCCC’s reservoirs did not expand FCCC’s water rights and that the reservoirs could be included in FCCC’s 1895 and 1897 rights.
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