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Cropping Within the Service Area <br />The principal crops irrigated under the Monte Vista Canal include: <br />• alfalfa <br />• potatoes <br />• barley <br />• wheat <br />• spinach <br />• pasture grass <br />Irrigation Techniques <br />Approximately 50 percent of the lands under the Canal use sprinkler systems, primarily center- <br />pivots. The remaining irrigation occurs by way of flood techniques. Flood irrigation includes use <br />of both groundwater and surface water supplies. <br />Sprinkler systems in the service area can be supplied with water in several ways. The most <br />common supply is from groundwater pumping. Sprinklers can also be supplied from surface <br />diversions, where the water is typically run into small ponds adjacent to the sprinklers, then <br />pumped to the sprinkler. Many of the center pivots in the service area can be interchangeably <br />operated using both groundwater and surface water. <br />System Gains and Losses <br />The amount of loss experienced in the Monte Vista system varies considerably by season and by <br />geographic location. Between the river diversion point and 9-South, losses average about 40 cfs <br />during the first part of the irrigation season. This amount decreases over the course of the <br />summer to about 20 cfs. Further south in the system, losses tend to be less. <br />There several points along the system where the Canal may gain water. However, gains tend to <br />be small and sporadic, and are related to heavy rainfall events. <br />Return Flows <br />The service area of the Association lies to the south and west of the Rio Grande. Much of the <br />return water associated with the Canal accrues to the Rio Grande, although some returns may <br />discharge to the Alamosa River, La Jara Creek, the Conejos River or one or more drain systems. <br />Returns to the Rio Grande River all accrue south of the Town of Alamosa, with much returning at <br />a point near the Alamosa Airport. <br />Interaction with District 20 Commissioner <br />The Association communicates with the District 20 Commissioner on a daily basis. Phone calls <br />are made to the Commissioners early each morning to learn about river flow conditions, <br />availability and the last priorities served. The Association then informs their ditch riders who <br />adjust the river diversion headgates to the appropriate levels. <br />Interaction with Association Share Owners <br />C:Acdss\MVCanal.doc Monte Vista Water Users Association June 21 , 1999- Page 6 of 7 <br />