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Water Right Changes, Transfers and Agreements <br />There is one important legal action that affects water supply and operations of the Association: <br />Winter Recharge: As decreed in Case No. 79CW091, the Association may divert water <br />under direct flow water rights during the winter months for the purpose of recharging the <br />unconfined aquifer lying within its service area. Historical practices of the Association <br />related to recharge is discussed below. <br />Drainage Water Rights <br />The Association does not own drainage or seepage ditch water rights, although there are several <br />important drains within its service area that are used by share owners. May of the drains within <br />the service area are underground. Principle surface drains and their decreed amounts include: <br />Bowen Drain Distribution Lateral System (53.50 cfs) <br />Carmel Drain Supply Ditch (19.05 cfs) <br />There is significant use of drain waters within the Association service area. Much of this use <br />requires pumping from the drains to supply irrigated lands. <br />Diversion Structures <br />The diversion structure for the Monte Vista Canal is located on the Rio Grande River in Section <br />8, Township 39 North, Range 7 East. The diversion structure consists of concrete and steel. <br />Capacity Problems <br />There are no problems or concerns related to diversion or carrying capacity of the Monte Vista <br />Canal. There is adequate canal capacity to divert the fu11340.77 cfs of decreed rights at the Rio <br />Grande, although running at this level can be sustained for only a few days. The Canal will <br />occasionally run less water than it is entitled when demand within the system is low. <br />Water Measurement <br />The diversion structure of the Monte Vista Canal is equipped with a 40 foot weir measuring <br />device and a satellite communication system. In addition, major laterals are equipped with <br />Parshall flumes and individual headgate have either a Parshall flume or a Calco metering gate. <br />Geographic Location and Size of Service Area <br />The service area of the Association is located to the south of the Rio Grande within Alamosa and <br />Conejos counties. There are approximately 21,000 acres irrigated under the system, although up <br />to 58,000 acres could potentially be irrigated. The Monte Vista Canal (previously the Citizens <br />Canal (originally extended to the Conejos River, but the canal now ends at the Alamosa River <br />(approximately 16.5 miles from the Rio Grande). Little water actually runs into the Alamosa <br />River from the Canal, and on occasion the River actually backs up into the end of the Canal. <br />C:Acdss\MVCanal.doc Monte Vista Water Users Association June 21 , 1999- Page 3 of 7 <br />