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This clock recorder is linked to satellite, enabling the Water Commissioner to download <br />the readings. These records reflect the direct flow and storage diversions for the Highland <br />Ditch Company. <br />Measurements of diversions into storage are made based on changes in end-of--month <br />storage contents. The Superintendent of the ditch company is responsible for collecting <br />the records from measurement devices on the ditch. <br />Conveyance Efficiency: Overall system losses along the ditch system are approximately 5 to 10 <br />percent. <br />Return Flow Locations: The Highland Ditch is considered a gaining ditch and does not <br />experience significant seepage losses. Return flows from irrigation on lands associated <br />with the Highland Ditch Company generally accrue to either the St. Vrain River <br />(approximately 90 percent) or the Little Thompson River basin (approximately 10 <br />percent). <br />Irrigated Crops: According to ditch company personnel, approximately 35,000 acres are <br />irrigated under the Highland Ditch. For comparison, 3,500 acres are listed under the <br />Highland Ditch structure in the HydroBase database. According to previous reports and <br />ditch company representatives, crops grown under the ditch include corn, potatoes, sugar <br />beets, wheat, barley, alfalfa, and grass hay. <br />HydroBase Data: The monthly data available in HydroBase over the 1950-2002 period of <br />record pertaining to the Highland Ditch include the following: <br />Total River Diversions <br />Complete record over 1950-2002 (see Figure 2) <br />Historic diversion average of approximately 42,000 ac-ft/yr <br />Diversion classes (DivClass) include: <br />• River diversions for irrigation average approximately 17,000 ac-ft/yr. <br />• River diversions to storage are not available for the entire period nor are these records <br />consistent in identification of the receiving storage units. According to ditch company <br />representatives, the remaining 25,000 ac-ft/yr of average diversions are likely to <br />storage although not always coded that way since they often divert water into and out <br />of storage at the same time during the summer; therefore, a zero change in storage <br />does not necessarily indicate no diversions to storage. The ditch company plans to <br />revise their accounting to better reflect diversions to storage. <br />• Storage releases for irrigation use or for replacement are also not consistently <br />available over the 1950-2002 period. <br />• Available records regarding storage releases for irrigation include the following: <br />- Approximately 9,000 ac-ft/yr, on average 1950-1973 <br />• Available records from river, by exchange via Foothills Reservoir and McIntosh Lake <br />- Approximately 3,500 ac-ft/yr, on average 1989-2002 <br />Highland Ditch Operating Memorandum.doc 5 of 16 February 24, 2005 <br />