WSP11224

• File Number: 8149.100
• Description: Miscellaneous Small Projects and Project Studies - NRCS-Ft Lyon Canal Co Limestone Graveyard Creeks
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 2/1/1994
• Author: Gronning Engineering
• Title: Ft Lyon Canal Company Water Transfer Alternatives Study Final Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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arising from the construction, operation and mainten~nce by the United States of John Martin
reservoir project for water conservation purposes." Any transfer of Ft. Lyon water rights must not
be inconsistent with the provisions of the Arkansas River Compact. (C.RS. 37-39.101, Art I, B)

2.5 Historical Water Transfers - Arkansas River Valley

Water transfers have been numerous in the Arkansas Vl!-lley. This section describes significant water
transfers in the region between Pueblo and the Kansas'state line. Appendix 2.2 includes details of
water rights transferred to non-agricultural uses. This s~ction does not include transfers for the same
agricultural use (general1y by the same owner) i.e. t~e Pueblo Reservoir Winter Storage Case,
Colorado Canal and Holbrook historic exchanges, Ft.llyon winter storage case, Amity Great Plains
transfer to John Martin Reservoir, Las Animas storage in John Martin Reservoir, Town Ditch move
upstream, changes of diversion points to wells by the Sisson, Hyde, Manvel, and Graham Ditches,
and diversion from the Lamar Power Plant by the Lamar Canal Company. These ag-te-ag transfers
illustrate that agricultural users have continuously improved their own uses of water by changing
diversion points, using exchanges, locating storage, co\1solidating ditches, trading water rights, and
cooperatively managing water since the ditches were fi~st constructed in the late nineteenth century.
The most cost effective water management improve~ents were recognized and implemented by
irrigators years ago.

The following water transfers out of agriculture are of: record for the Lower Arkansas River Basin:

Bessemer Ditch to St Charles Mesa "tater District
Hamp-Bell Ditch to Valco cement '
West Pueblo Ditch to Pueblo Board of Waterworks
Booth-Orchard Grov.e Ditch to Pueblq Board of Waterworks
Zoeller Ditch to St Charles Mesa Water District
Twin Lakes Reservoir Co. to Autora, Colorado Springs, Pueblo Board of
Waterworks, and Pueblo West Metropolitan District and to a minor extent towns
near the historically irrigated lands !
Colorado Canal to Colorado Springs .nd Aurora
Busk Ivanhoe System to Pueblo Board of Water Works and Aurora
Clear Creek Reservoir and Ewing, W~rtz and Columbine Ditches to Pueblo Board
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of Waterworks !
Catlin Canal to Colorado Division of 'Wildlife
Rocky Ford Ditch to Aurora ,
Las Animas Consolidated and Exteqsion Ditches to Public Service Company of
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Ft. Bent Ditch to Lamar '
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Development of information about the historical trajufers is helpful in identifying potential issues
and understanding any trends which may exist in the lcondition of irrigated agriculture in the lower
Arkansas River Valley. An attempt was made to assess the foUowing types of impacts:

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