Laserfiche WebLink
<br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />Introduction <br /> <br />The Highland Ditch Company holds direct flow and storage water rights, which are <br />historically used for irrigation water for agriculture. The company's headworks and <br />diversion, and the start of the canal system known as Highland Ditch, are located within <br />the Town of Lyons on the St. Vrain Creek in Northern Colorado. The total service area of <br />approximately 35,000 acres is located between the Little Thompson River on the north <br />and Saint Vrain Creek on the south. The irrigated area served by Highland Ditch and <br />several other incorporated lateral companies is generally surrounded by the <br />communities of Longmont, Johnstown, Milliken, and Platteville. Figure 1 shows the <br />location of Highland Ditch, the historic service area, several lateral companies, notable <br />rivers, creeks, highways, and surrounding towns. <br /> <br />In May of 2004, The Highland Ditch Company commissioned Aqua Engineering to <br />undertake a feasibility study with the intent of evaluating the opportunities and costs <br />associated with modernizing the canal. <br /> <br />The primary purpose was to examine the opportunity to provide pressurized secondary <br />water tohousiriQaeVelopments, parks, streetscapes, and golf courses that are <br />envisioned to be built. Pressurization in and of itself results in a fully modernized canal, <br />even to the extent that the canal may eventually become obsolete and essentially <br />replaced at some point by pressure piping. Urbanization at the current level is expected <br />to occur rapidly over the next 10 to 15 years. Although the potential for urbanization <br />within the Highland Ditch service area is high, it is likely that traditional agricultural will <br />remain a part of the system for some time. <br /> <br />Pressurized secondary water is envisioned to be, not only a key canal modernization <br />strategy, but a mechanism for actually sustaining an agricultural economy and setting <br />(Le. desirable open space areas) under Highland Ditch. We have taken the approach of <br />fast forwarding to a complete secondary supply build-out scenario. Consideration is <br />given to the whole system service area and a forecast of the mix of landscape <br />treatments and changing irrigated areas associated with new housing. Several phases <br />have been suggested based on the known development areas and logical boundaries <br />based on system hydraulics. <br /> <br />This work has been compiled through various elements of work with The Highland Ditch <br />Company, including several site visits and discussions with the Board of Directors. <br />Recently, some initial and cursory discussions have been held with two potential housing <br />developers within the service area of the canal. <br /> <br />This study reports on the important elements of a pressurized secondary system for <br />Highland Ditch including: <br /> <br />· A conceptual layout of the secondary supply infrastructure. <br />· Probable costs of infrastructure design and construction. <br />· Development and construction approaches. <br />· Optional funding sources. <br />· Financial payback, including a forecast of revenues and expenses over the first <br />ten years. <br /> <br />Aqua Engineering, Inc. <br />November 8, 2004 <br /> <br />Canal Modernization Feasibility Study <br />- 1 - <br /> <br />