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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GENERAL OESCRIPTION

The Keesee Ditch is located approximately five miles downstream of the
John Martin Reservoir Dam in Colorado Water District 67. Figure 1 depicts
the general location of the ditch with respect to the Arkansas River in southeastern
Colorado and southwestern Kansas.

The Keesee Ditch shares a common diversion dam with the Fort Bent Canal.
The common diversion point is located in Section 1, Township 23 South, Range
49 West, of the 6th Principal Meridian in Bent County, Colorado. Plate 1
illustrates the Keesee Ditch headgate location and ditch distribution system.
The decreed headgate location is in Section 6, Township 23 South, Range 48 West,
about 1.5 miles downstream of the present structure. Aerial photos taken in
1936 indicate that the present headgate location has been used at least since
that time, arid that relocation of the headgate did not alter the irrigated area.

The Keesee Ditch has three different diversion priorities, including the
Number 1 and Number 4 priorities in Water District 67. Appendix A of this report
includes copies of the Keesee Ditch water right decrees, and Table I summarizes
these water rights.

Water District 67 diversion records dating back to 1911 are available from
the Office of the State Engineer. These records indicate that with the exception
of a five year period between 1924 and 1928 when the ditch headgate was washed
out, the Kee~ee Ditch has diverted a consistent supply of water even during years
of historic low stream flows. Beginning in the mid-1950's, irrigation supplies
for lands under the ditch were supplemented with ground water from shallow
wells comple,ted in the Arkansas River tllluvial tlquifer. Irrigation water supplied
by the wells was pumped directly into the ditch distribution system and commingled
with surface diversions.

The Keesee Ditch is decreed for irrigation of a total of 1400 acres. The
actual irrigated acreage as recorded in water commissioner's records from 1911
to 1973, has varied, often exceeding the decreed amount. Prior to 1945 the total
acreage fluc~uated from year to year, but averaged approximately 1400 acres.
For the period between 1945 and 1955, irrigation under the ditch was in excess
of 2,000 acres. Following 1955 the total acreage has been more consistent,
averaging approximately 1900 acres.

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