North Platte - New Pioneer Ditch Reconstruction Project_Water Activity Summary

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Water Supply Reserve Account – Grant and Loan Program Water Activity Summary Sheet Applicant: Newell Geer, Silver Spur Land & Cattle Water Activity Name: New Pioneer Ditch Diversion Reconstruction Project Water Activity Purpose: Structural Water Project; consumptive and nonconsumptive County: Jackson Drainage Basin: North Platte Water Source: Canadian River Amount Requested: $116,000 from Basin Account Matching Funds: $ 48,000 in kind services and material donation Water Activity Summary: The applicant is a private individual running a ranching operation in the North Park area near Walden. The New Pioneer Ditch has multiple appropriations in Water District 47 for a total of 50.1 cfs dating back to 1890. There are three principle shareholders on this ditch. The water is diverted from the Canadian River located on the Silver Spur Ranch. The North Park Angus Ranch and Walden Ventures, LLC also receive water. The ditch irrigates up to 950 acres of native grasses for high quality, high protein fine stemmed hay. Under the current conditions, the New Pioneer Ditch may not be capable of delivering the necessary water for agriculture in the ditch service area. The existing diversion structure cannot seal off the river and jeopardizes the ability of the ditch to facilitate a call. The existing headgate also cannot effectively regulate water coming into the ditch. Extreme bank erosion has developed on both banks of the Canadian River at the point of diversion. This is reducing the amount of prime agricultural land and adding significant volumes of sediment to the river. Sediment loading to the river reduces water quality and increases the likelihood of listing on the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) list of impaired waters. If listed, additional funding will be required to develop a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), a watershed plan, and implementation of that plan. Fish cannot pass the existing structure. They are unable to migrate upstream to spawning areas. This project will construct a low-head diversion structure capable of diverting the entire river, if necessary to implement a call. It will be constructed in the shape of an upstream pointing “V” to reduce stress on both banks and direct high flows toward the channel center. The core of the structure will be constructed of interlocking and grouted concrete blocks to reduce seepage and facilitate a call. Local angular rock will be placed both up and downstream of the diversion to stabilize the diversion structure, direct water toward the channel center, reduce bank erosion, and act as a fish and recreation boat passage. A concrete headwall will be constructed at the diversion point with a low-head rectangular orifice designed to pass 50.1 cfs at a minimum head. A slide gate will be installed at the diversions point to easily and efficiently regulate water into the ditch while increasing instream flows. The existing measuring flume will be moved up the ditch near the headwall to further improve management. The areas of erosion along both banks will be filled and reclaimed as agricultural land. The ditch will also be re-graded for approximately 1,500 feet due to inconsistencies in ditch bed gradient. The resultant structures will promote water conservation and efficiency. Discussion: The New Pioneer Ditch Diversion Reconstruction Project has numerous benefits to the North Platte Basin. The project is structural, maintains and sustains wetlands, maintains existing administered water rights, and addresses SWSI findings by assisting agricultural water users in adequately addressing their water needs. 1