Equitable Apportionment between Nevada and California

Abstract

With the recent withdrawal of the interstate compact between California and Nevada from the U.S. Senate there has arisen consideration of a suit for equitable apportionment in the U.S. Supreme Court to determine the rights to the waters of the Carson, Truckee, and Walker rivers. Disparate parties include the states of Nevada and California, the Pyramid Lake Paiute Indians, and farmers on the Bureau of Reclamation Newlands Project. There is little or no agreement between these parties and the cities of Reno and Sparks concerning present and future needs for water. There are perils associated with such a suit and the parties involved should consider these before such a suit commences. History has shown that many surprises can result from the institution of a suit in the federal court system.