CRDSS_Task1_15-22_FruitlandMesaAreaWaterRights

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CRDSS TASK MEMORANDUM 1.15-22 Water Rights Planning Model Fruitland Mesa Area Water Rights 1.0 ISSUE This memorandum describes the operation of a number of direct flow water rights and one reservoir storage right (Gould Reservoir) that are used for irrigation purposes in the Fruitland Mesa area south of Crawford, Colorado. These operations involve significant transbasin diversions from the Crystal Creek drainage to the Smith Fork drainage and storage in an 8,100 acre-foot reservoir (Gould). Information summarized in this memo was obtained from a review of the State's tabulation of water rights, review of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation?s (USBR?s) Definite Plan Report for the Fruitland Mesa Project, and through interviews with Bill Mugsford, a director of the Fruitland Mesa Water Conservancy District (FMWCD). 2.0 DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS General Description of the Water Rights in the Fruitland Mesa Area There are four major irrigation systems that are considered in the CRDSS wate r rights planning model. The water rights associated with these systems are summarized in Table 1. TABLE 1 FRUITLAND MESA AREA WATER RIGHTS STRUCTURE APPROP. ADMIN. DECREED IDSOURCE DATE NO. AMOUNT DITCH NAME Cattlemens Ditch 504Crystal Creek10-24-1883 12350.00000 49.588 cf s (aka Cedar 5-15-1882 31924.11823 5.000 cf s Canon Iron Spring Ditch) Crystal Valley 533Crystal Creek5-10-1888 21263.14010 13.35 cf s Ditch 5-10-1888 31924.14010 1.00 cf s Dyer Fork Ditch543Crystal Creek5-15-190121263.1876213.25 cf s Fruitland Canal549 Crystal Creek 5-17-1901 21263.18764 67.44 cf s 5-17-1901 25807.18764 300.00 cf s 7-01-1914 25807.23557 74.70 cf s 5-17-1901 31924.18764 95.00 cf s 11-13-1957 39398.00000 600.00 cf s Fruitland Res. 3395Crystal Creek5-17-1901 21263.18764 2,800.00 AF (Gould Res.) 5-17-1901 25807.18764 6,397.95 AF 9-01-1949 36403.00000 1,000.00 AF cfs = cubic feet per second 1 A275 01.09.95 1.15-22 Fosha, Hyre