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Grande. Operations of the Canal tend to be better during times when there is a curtailment for <br />Compact purposes. This is because of more steady flows in the Rio Grande which serve to keep <br />the headgate structure pressurized. When there is not a curtailment, the Water Commissioners <br />attempt to dry up the Rio Grande at the County Lone (immediately below the Excelsior headgate) <br />which can result in more flow variability and difficulty with gate operations. <br />Water Measurement <br />The diversion structure of the Excelsior Canal is equipped with a measuring device, and is <br />equipped with a satellite communication system. There are also measurement devices on <br />individual farm take-outs. <br />While flows are measured at all the take outs, the ditch really operates more on a gentleman's <br />agreement whereby owners take what they need, then let their neighbors use the water. This <br />system works well because many of the share owners want a bigger head of water than their <br />shares would otherwise allow. <br />Geographic Location and Size of Service Area <br />The service area of the Company is located to the south of the Rio Grande within Alamosa <br />County. There are approximately 6,300 acres irrigated under the system. Approximately 60 <br />percent of this total is located on the upper half of the Canal system, with the remaining 40 <br />percent located on the lower half. Most irrigated lands in the system are located within a mile of <br />the main canal, both on the north and south sides. <br />Laterals <br />The main Excelsior Canal is approximately 13 miles long. There are no laterals off of the main <br />canal. Water deliveries to share owners are made through individual farm head gates off of the <br />Canal. Share owners are responsible for their own ditch systems after diverting from the main <br />canal. No portion of the Canal is lined. <br />Water Allocation Among Owners <br />The Company delivers water to its shareowners on a pro-rata basis, but the method of delivery <br />depends on how much water the Company is able to divert at the River. When the Company is in <br />priority for more 60.30 cfs (through priority number 249) water is delivered to all owners on a <br />rotational basis. <br />When able to divert less than 60.30 cfs, water is rotated to the owners on the lower half of the <br />system for 7 days, then to those on the upper half of the system for 7 days. This system works <br />well because the number of shares is fairly evenly split between the upper and lower halves of the <br />system (29 on the lower half and 31 on the upper half). <br />When River flows drop such that the Company can only divert under it its number 74 priority (8.4 <br />cfs), the entire ditch flow is run to each owner for 24 hours. <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. <br />C:Acdss\EXCanal.doc Excelsior Canal Company Interview July 16, 1999- Page 3 of 5 <br />