Laserfiche WebLink
<br />17 <br /> <br /> <br />0032 <br /> <br />PART V <br />IRRIGATION POSSIBILITIES <br /> <br />Very preliminary reservoir operation studies of the Syracuse <br /> <br />Reservoir indicated a dependable average annual yield of 18,000 to <br /> <br />21,000 acre-feet for irrigation. This estimate is based on a conser- <br /> <br />vation storage capacity of 200,000 acre-feet. Larger capacity to <br /> <br />provide long-time holdover storage for the extremely high flood flows <br /> <br />does not appear warranted. The irrigation supply would be available <br /> <br />to supplement present irrigation or as a full supply ~or 12,000 to <br /> <br />15,000 acres of new land. Some shortages would occur in a drouth <br /> <br />period such as that encountered in the 1930' s. It is doubtful if <br /> <br />conservation capacity to prOVide a full irrigation supply during a <br /> <br />similar period of prolonged drouth conditions would be economically <br /> <br />justified. Acreages could vary somewhat if supplemental supplies, <br />during periods of extreme low flows, could be made available by <br /> <br />pumping from ground water reserves. Several possible irrigation <br /> <br />developments are shown on exhibit 1 and described in the following <br /> <br />discussion. <br /> <br />Garden City area <br /> <br />One of the oldest irrigated areas in Kansas lies betweeen <br /> <br />the Colorado-Kansas State line and Garden City, Kansas. The irri- <br /> <br />gated acreage has varied from year-to-year depending on available <br />water supplies. In 1957 about 75,800 acres were irrigated under <br /> <br />canals diverting from the Arkansas River. See exhibit 3. <br /> <br />A survey of irrigation practices in the area revealed a <br /> <br />complex pattern of intermingled surface water and ground water <br /> <br />irrigation. Of the 75,800 acres irrigated in 1957, 9,100 acres or <br />