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Cropping Within the Service Area <br />The principal crops irrigated under the Prairie Ditch include: <br />• potatoes <br />• small grains (feed and brewing barley, spring and winter wheat) <br />• pasture hay <br />• alfalfa <br />• carrots, peas and lettuce <br />Irrigation Techniques <br />The majority of irrigation under the Prairie Ditch occurs using sprinkler systems. The remaining <br />irrigation occurs by way of flood techniques. Sprinkler systems in the service area can typically <br />be supplied with water in several ways. The most common supply is from groundwater pumping <br />Sprinklers can also be supplied from surface diversions, where the water is run into small ponds, <br />then pumped to the sprinkler. Many of the center pivots in the service area can be <br />interchangeably operated using both groundwater and surface water. <br />System Gains and Losses <br />As described above, losses in the Prairie Ditch are a function of season and flows. In the early <br />irrigation season, losses range from 20 to 30 percent. Losses then decline through the summer <br />months. The percentage of water lost also tends to decline Ditch flows increase. <br />There are no significant gains to the Prairie Ditch along its course, although extreme rainfall <br />events may result in minor accretions. <br />Return Flows <br />Nearly all lands irrigated under the Prairie Ditch are located within the Closed Basin, and return <br />flows from these lands do not accrue to the Rio Grande. Approximately 80 acres are irrigated <br />approximately 3 miles below the river diversion point, and returns from these lands accrue to the <br />Rio Grande upstream of State Highway 285. There is virtually no tail water flow from the end of <br />the Prairie Ditch. <br />Interaction with District 20 Commissioner <br />The Company communicates with both the District 20 Commissioner on a daily basis. Phone <br />calls are made to the Commissioner early each morning to learn about river flow conditions, <br />availability and the last priorities served. The Ditch Rider adjusts the river diversion headgates to <br />the appropriate levels. <br />Interaction with Company Share Owners <br />The Ditch Rider for the Company is responsible for communicating with share owners. The <br />Ditch Rider is kept informed of water requests and determines the amount of water to deliver to <br />each headgate. The Ditch Rider is responsible for adjusting individual turnouts to farmers along <br />the conveyance system. <br />Attachments <br />C:Acdss\PRCanal.doc The Prairie Ditch Company Interview June 21, 1999 -Page 5 of 5 <br />