WSP10371

• File Number: 8111.805
• Description: Arkansas River Compact Administration - Keesee Ditch
• Basin: Arkansas
• Date: 1/1/1986
• Author: HRS Engineering
• Title: Keesee Ditch Change of Water Rights Vol 1 - Historical Operation of Kessee Ditch
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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Consumptive Use

Irrigated Acreage

The Keesee Ditch water rights are decreed for irrigation use for 1400 acres,
however, irriltation has taken place on acreage in excess of this amount thoughout
the 20-year study period. A total of 1,900 irrigated acres was estimated for the
study period based on water commissioner's records available through 1973 and
projection of these records through 1983. An aerial photo taken in July, 1980
confirmed th~ estimate of 1,900 acres irrigated for this recent period. Plate
2 shows the area irrigated by the Keesee Ditch based on the 1980 aerial photo.

Water commissioner records for the study period did not indicate the types
of crops irrigated under the ditch. For the period of 1964 through 1978, crop
acreages were apportioned based on an estimate of 70 percent alfalfa, and 10
percent each' of grain corn, grain sorghum (milo) and winter grains (wheat and
barley) made by Mr. Jake Broyles. A partial acreage record of non-hay crops
was available from the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service for
the period of 1979 through 1983. These records included irrigated acreage for
corn, milo, wheat, and barley. Mr. Broyles indicated that the remaining acreage
for these years was in alfalfa. Table III lists the estimated crop acreages for
the Keesee Ditch. The average crop distribution for the 20-year study period
was 67.5 percent alfalfa, 9.8 percent grain corn, 11.2 percent grain sorghum, and
11.5 percent winter grains.

Since water supplies from ditch diversions and irrigation wells were
commingled in the distribution system, it was not possible to separate out particular
acreages or crop types which were supplied exclusively by either source. However,
from a conceptual standpoint, it was assumed that ditch diversions were limited
to the irrigation of a total of 1400 acres. In the analysis of consumptive use,
the crop acreages were apportioned to 1400 acres based on the percentage of
the total acreage for each crop.

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