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Alternative Agricultural Water Transfer Methods -Grant Application Form <br />January 2008 <br />Total irrigated acreage to be directly affected by the project is 16 acres, divided equally between the <br />two demonstration sites. Two 8 ac. fields at each location will be planted to corn in orderto reflect <br />predominant cropping in the region. Exact yields for these farms will not be known precisely until they <br />are identified; nevertheless, it is estimated that fields will produce between 160-180 bushels/acre, in <br />the current market expected to fetch as high as $6/bushel. In the Arkansas Valley, estimated water use <br />for corn growth ranges between 27.2 and 31.5 inches annually, for a total averaging about 29 inches. <br />For the acreage to be managed during this study, the water available for transfer would therefore <br />amount to a total average annual water diversion of approximately 29 acre-ft when 12 acres are <br />fallowed (Year 1),19 acre-ft when 8 acres are fallowed (Year 2), and about 10 acre-ft when 4 acres are <br />fallowed (Year 3). <br />d) Information regarding the location of the new water use(s) that will be served by transferred water <br />including the estimated number of users/taps and/or uses served. <br />As mentioned previously, the proposed activities will operate in coordination with a broker, which is <br />likely to be the Super Ditch Company. The water associated with the proposed activities and <br />demonstrations sites will be transferred to the extent that municipal and industrial interests work with <br />the Super Ditch Company. Based on the above estimate (29 acre-ft), this water could be used to supply <br />approximately 30-60 households in Year 1 of the study. Other years will supply water relative to the <br />fallowed portion. While these are small quantities, the true purpose of this project is to demonstrate <br />the viability of a regional leasing program that could yield substantially more water to M & I interests. <br />Organizers of the Super Ditch suggest that leasing could supply up to 45,000 acre-ft (14.7 million <br />gallons) annually. <br />e) Socio-economic characteristics ofthe area such as population, employment and land use. <br />Demonstrations will be conducted in Otero County, CO. The U.S. Census in 2000 estimated that there <br />were 20,311 people, 7,920 households, and 5,472 families residing in Otero County. Population density <br />was approximately 16 people/min. Ethnic demographics are 79.02%Whiteor Caucasian, 0.76% Black or <br />African American,1.43% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 15.06% from other races, <br />and 2.96% from two or more races. 37.62% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race. <br />The median incomefora household in OteroCountywas$29,738, and the median incomeforafamily <br />was $35,906. Males had a median income of $26,996 versus $21,001 for females. The per capita income <br />for Otero County was $15,113. About 14.20% of families and 18.80% of the population were below the <br />poverty line, including 25.90% of those under age 18 and 11.80% of those age 65 or over. <br />Land use in Otero County is almost entirely agricultural, aside from the portions devoted to the towns of <br />Cheraw, Fowler, La Junta, Manzanola, Rocky Ford, and Swink. The total acreage of the county is <br />808,256, of which 32,776 are estimated to be used for agricultural production. The Rocky Ford High <br />Line Canal is located south of the towns of Fowler, Manzanola and Rocky Ford. The Holbrook Canal is <br />located north of Swink and La Junta. These towns and their employment are almost entirely supported <br />by the farming activities of the area, therefore irrigation water is very essential not only to agriculture <br />but to the entire farm economy. <br />10