PROJC00342 App Ltr

• Contract/PO #: C150145
• Contractor Name: Spring Dale Ditch Company
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 64
• County: Logan
• Bill Number: MC3
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Approval Letter

STATE OF COLORADO

Colorado Water Conservation Board

Deparhnent of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street, Room 721
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
www.cwcb.state.co.llS

MEMORANDUM
(Updated May 27, 2003)

Bill Owens
Governor

Greg E. Walcher
Executive Director

TO: Colorado Water Conservation Board Members

FROM:

John Van Sciver, P.E.
Mike Serlet, P.E., Chief
Water Supply Planning and Finance Section.

Rod Kuharich
eWeB Director

Dan McAuliffe
Deputy Director

DATE: May 6, 2003

SUBJECT: Agenda Item 18b., May 19.20, 2003 Board Meeting
. Springdale Ditch Company

Introduction
The Springdale Ditch Company (SDC) is applying for a $121,500 loan to construct a series of
recharge ponds, one augmentation well, and 2 recharge wells. The estimated total cost of the
project is $135,000. Please see the attached project summary and map.

Backaround
The SDC, located in Logan County, operates the Springdale Ditch for the benefit of its
shareholders by providing delivery of water for irrigation within a 4,490-acre service area. The
system consists of a headgate on the South Platte River about 6 miles southwest of Sterling and
about 15 miles of ditch.

There are also 43 junior wells under the Springdale system, used as a supplemental supply to the
ditch water. The depletions from the pumping of the SDC wells must be replaced during times
when there is a "call" on the river by a senior downstream water right. GASP has successfully
been used for the past 30 years to cover the depletions on these wells. However, GASP
operates on a year-to-year basis with no guarantee of continued coverage. The current drought
has brought to the foreground just how difficult it is to provide adequate augmentation for well
users. GASP has even indicated to its members that if the drought continues, well pumping
may be curtailed next year.

The SDC wants to develop a recharge system that will generate augmentation water to be used
to offset the depletions caused by their 43 wells. By generating their own augmentation the
SDC shareholders can protect themselves from possible curtailment and help GASP strengthen
its coverage in the same area of the river.

Feasibilitv Studies
Brent Nation, P.E. of Nation Engineering Services, has completed the feasibility study. The report
includes an evaluation of alternatives available to generate an augmentation supply for the SOC.