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Practically speaking, the per-share allocation of water under the Ditch is not necessary. There is a <br />gentleman's agreement between those owners growing hay and those growing grain to make <br />water available when it is needed. This agreement is possible because the seniority of the <br />Company's rights ensures adequate supply if there is cooperation. For example, share owners <br />growing pasture make their shares available to grain irrigators during hay cutting. Similarly, <br />additional water is made available to pasture growers during periods when they wish to flood <br />irrigate. There is a shortage in supply only during rare times when all owners are calling for <br />water at the same time. <br />Use of Storage Water <br />The Company does not have storage water rights or ownership in any storage reservoirs and it <br />does not participate in direct flow water right storage. Five small reservoirs are used for <br />overnight storage by several share owners to help supply their sprinkler systems. <br />Use of Groundwater <br />Groundwater use is not significant by Company share owners, with most of their water supply <br />coming from the Rio Grande. Only one of the share owners has a groundwater well. <br />Cropping Within the Service Area <br />The principal crops irrigated under the Centennial Ditch include: <br />• pasture <br />• alfalfa <br />• potatoes <br />• grains <br />Pasture and alfalfa farming account for approximately 50 percent of cropping under the Ditch <br />Irrigation Techniques <br />The principal method of irrigation under the Centennial Ditch is flood irrigation. There is also an <br />increasing number of sprinkler systems. The sprinklers systems that are used rely both on surface <br />water, and often use small regulating ponds to control water deliveries from the Ditch system. <br />There is approximately 80 acres under Ditch used to raise potatoes where subirrigation is <br />practiced. <br />Most pasture lands are located on the north side of the Ditch system. Better farm lands lying on <br />the south side are used for raising potatoes. <br />System Gains and Losses <br />Losses within the Centennial Ditch are greatest early in the irrigation season and at the upper end <br />of the Ditch. The Ditch looses approximately 0.8 cfs within its first two miles. For delivery <br />purposes, a loss of 0.1 cfs per share is charged to owners. <br />There are virtually no gains to the Ditch system except at the upper end near the old main canal. <br />The old canal captures a small amount of return flow and some of this water accrues to the ditch. <br />Several sloughs on the west end of the system also capture subsurface drainage which may <br />C:Acdss\CNTDitch.doc Centennial Irrigation Ditch Company Interview June 22, 1999 -Page 4 of 5 <br />