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Project storage water, i.e. water stored by the District under the Platoro Reservoir storage right, is <br />purchased from the District by ditches, and in turn made available to their owners at a cost of <br />$4.50 per acre-foot. The amount of water made available to the Partnership depends on 1) the <br />amount allocated to each ditch as a whole; and 2) the percentage ownership the Partnership has in <br />the ditch. <br />Several of the ditches which the Partnership has ownership have regularly participated in the <br />District's direct flow program since 1991. Direct flow storage occurs when the different ditch <br />riders feels that the owners are satisfied and that there is excess water to divert. The ditch riders <br />then contacts the District and notifies share owners. Direct flow storage water is allocated to the <br />Partnership on a percentage ownership basis depending on the amount stored. <br />Use of Groundwater <br />The Partnership owns four groundwater wells that are used to supplement their surface supplies. <br />All of these wells are within one-half mile of the river and pump from depths between 100 and <br />200 feet. The wells pump into sprinklers at rates between 700 and 900 gpm but well yields are <br />potentially higher. Three of the wells are connected directly to sprinkler systems, and one is <br />used to run water into a small pond to use either with a sprinkler or for flood application. The <br />Partnership does not keep records of its groundwater use. <br />Cropping Within the Service Area <br />The principal crops grown by the Partnership include: <br />• alfalfa <br />• small grains <br />• native grass <br />Hay cuttings typically first occur at the end of June, and farmers are able to get two to three <br />cuttings per year. Grain harvests typically occur in later August and September. <br />Irrigation Techniques <br />The Partnership owns five sprinkler systems. Two of these sprinklers irrigate full quarter- <br />sections, and the others irrigate approximately 100 acres each. The total area irrigated with <br />sprinklers is approximately 1,000 acres. Water is applied to the remaining irrigated lands by <br />flood techniques. Irrigation water is typically applied over the period April 1 through the end of <br />October, but can vary depending on climatic conditions. For those lands that are flood irrigated, <br />water is typically applied three times each year in the middle of April, the end of May, and during <br />the middle of June. <br />System Gains and Losses <br />None of the ditches or laterals of the ditches owned by the Partnership are lined. <br />Return Flows <br />Return flows from irrigation by the Partnership accrue back to the Conejos River, the Rio San <br />Antonio, or to adjacent lands. <br />C:Acdss\Lucero.doc Los Hermanos Lucero Interview June 24, 1999 -Page 3 of 4 <br />