PROJ01895 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Guenzi Farms May 24-27,2004 Agenda Item 21a approximately 1510 acre-feet of summer-time depletions and approximately 960 acre-feet of winter- time depletions, for a total of 2470 acre-feet per year. The Guenzis would like to control and develop a recharge system that will generate augmentation water to be used to offset the depletions. By controlling and generating their own augmentation the Guenzis can strengthen their own coverage and help strengthen the LWU. The Guenzis recently purchased the 450-acre Hettinger Farm, about 1 % miles east of the Town of Merino for $775,000. The farm includes an existing hillside recharge site (three 120-day ponds) that has historically been fed by the Pawnee Ditch, and in 2003 recharged 1136 acre-feet. The existing project will be enhanced by the installation of a pump and pipeline from the South Platte River, rather than rely solely on ditch diversions. The CWCB loan will cover only that portion of the farm purchase occupied by the existing recharge ponds (100 acres of pasture with the 3 pond areas) with a value of $112,000, with the remainder of the farm purchase handled by a loan from Premier Farm Credit in Sterling. Feasibility Studies Brent M. Nation, P.E. of Fort Morgan has completed the feasibility study in accordance with CWCB guidelines. The study includes an assessment of alternatives to generate augmentation water for Guenzi Farms. Guenzi Farms Ken, Dave and John Guenzi are applying for the CWCB loan as individuals, and would be jointly and severally liable for the loan repayment. The Guenzi family has been farming in the area since 1943. All of their land is held in joint or individual ownership, with their farming operations conducted by Guenzi Farms, Inc., a Colorado corporation formed in 1991. Water Riahts The Guenzis currently have decrees on the 31 wells used for irrigating their farms. These wells are augmented through LWU. The Guenzi's also own the following water rights: - 11.5 shares Pawnee Ditch Company - 21.0 shares Sterling Irrigation Company - 192.9 Acre-Feet Prewitt Reservoir - Logan District The proposed 2 recharge wells will require a new water right which has been obtained. This new water right will be for a maximum of 12 cfs with an average annual yield of 2000 acre feet. Proiect Description A range of alternatives were considered on how to generate an augmentation supply for the Guenzis including: 1. The no-build alternative, continue to rely on LWU for augmentation. 2. Purchase a senior water right for augmentation. . 3. Purchase a farm with existing recharge ponds and expand their recharge capacity. Alternative 1, No-build alternative, continue to rely on LWU for augmentation - If a project were not pursued, the Guenzis would continue to solely rely upon LWU for augmentation. As the current drought continues, LWU is in the process of developing a curtailment policy based partly on Page 2 of 6