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Administration on the Conejos River presents a unique challenge due to the fact that it splits into <br />two channels at two different locations along its course. The first of the splits into the Main <br />Branch and the North Branch (Little River) occurs at a point approximately one-quarter mile <br />upstream of U.S. Highway 285. At this point in the river, known as the "Core," there is a <br />concrete weir across the South Branch whereby the Commissioners can control the amounts of <br />water delivered down each branch. The amount of flow delivered down the North Branch, or <br />"Little River," is driven by the needs and priorities of the ditches on this branch. During high <br />flow periods when there is no calling priority, the majority of the water flows down the Main <br />Branch. Another factor which is related to administration of the "Core" split is that the North <br />Branch intercepts significant return flows which are physically only available to diversions on <br />that branch. <br />A second split in the Conejos River occurs downstream near the confluence with the Rio Grande. <br />This channel split is less significant in terms of water right administration because there are no <br />diversions off of the south channel. There are streamflow gages located on both of the channels, <br />and summed together these gages comprise the La Sauces flows. <br />Direct Flow Water Rights and Ditch Capacity Issues <br />There are approximately 115 decreed surface water diversion points within District 22. Included <br />are several small diversions at points located primarily on tributary streams. Diversions on the <br />Conejos mainstem are characterized numerous smaller structures diverting less than 20 cfs rather <br />than several larger structures. A straight-line diagram for the District is provided as Attachment <br />1. <br />All diversion structures on the Conejos River and its tributaries are equipped with measuring <br />devices. Several ditches have rated sections and recorders, although the majority of the devices <br />are Parshall flumes. The Manassa Ditch No. 3 has recently been fitted with satellite telemetry to <br />report diversion amounts. <br />Use of direct flow rights typically occurs during the period April 1 through October 31. <br />However, variations in climatic conditions may often result in minor extension or shortening of <br />this "irrigation season." <br />The Commissioners noted that several diversion structures that appear in the State's database are <br />actually water rights that are carried in other structures. The San Jose Ditch also carries water for <br />the Seledonia Valdez Ditch. The Seledonia Valdez carries water for the Vega Grand and the <br />William Sabine ditches. <br />Older diversion records may combine flows through these ditches that share a common headgate, <br />but presently diversions under each are recorded separately. The District Commissioners noted <br />that diversion and irrigated acreage records treat these carried rights as part of the structure that <br />carries them. <br />Drainage and Seepage Ditches <br />Several large drain and seepage ditch systems have been constructed within District 22. Drains <br />have been constructed in several areas to both convey unwanted water away from potentially <br />productive lands and to salvage return flow waters for additional use. Many of these drain <br />systems have been decreed with water rights for irrigation purposes. Major drains and seepage <br />ditches within District 22 and total decrees associated with each include: <br />C:Acdss\D22_Mem.doc District 22 Interview July 2, 1999 -Page 3 of 9 <br />