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<br />THE AMITY MUTUAL IRRIGATION COMPANY <br /> <br />155 q.resident's Report <br /> <br />TO <br /> <br />THE AMITY MUTUAL IRRIGATION COMPANY <br /> <br />TO THE DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS: <br /> <br />We thought 1963 irrigation season was dry but looking <br />back we know that it did not compare with this year. Last year we <br />diverted from the river twice the water that we were able to obtain <br />this season. The Arkansas river at Las Animas produced only <br />28,440 a.f. In 1964. The Purgatoire measured near the mouth only <br />12,550 a./.. a total of 40,990 a./. This compared with a total 01 <br />77,350 a./. In 1963 and 124,300 a./. lor 1962. <br /> <br />The weather throughout the winter was very mild and very <br />little moisture but soil conditions In the spring were latr. April <br />and most 01 May were still below normal In ralnlall but on May 29 <br />and 30. an enormous downpour produced from lour to eight <br />Inches over the area, causing severe damage to the Amity canal. <br />This down pour while damaging the canal was a god-send to <br />those with crops to plant and proved to be the major source 01 soli <br />moisture lor the season. <br /> <br />Water was released from John Martin Reservoir April 7, but <br />only 9660 a.1. had been stored through out the winter and by April <br />12th the reservoir was empty. Our priority was not available on <br />the river then until May 25th and the big storm hit May 29th. Very <br />little water was available from the snow runoff whlch was about <br />el\P8nded by that time. This storm covered almost all the area <br />that drains toward the Amity Canal including In the Lamar area <br />the irrlgated section north 01 the river. Drainage from four to eight <br />Inches rainfall over this area overran the banks 01 our canal <br />almost the enUre length. The damage was promptly repaired and <br />the canal ready belore we called lor water because after the <br />heavy rain over the entire area every one was busy planting their <br />crops. <br /> <br />These breaks In our canal are oilen costly In loss of water <br />as well as the actual repair el\P8nse. Drainage dllches constructed <br />over the years In the irrlgated section above the Amity conduct <br />this runoff to our canal with great speed and with the capacity <br />Ilmlled at highway bridges, overflow secttons have not been <br />suHlclent. This flood In addlUon to ordinary debris carried bridgE> <br />sections washed from County roadways and private crossings <br />OIrer these drainage ditches. With only 3800 c. I. 8. recorded 8t <br /> <br />r.~ <br />I; <br /> <br />P.,e , <br />