Laserfiche WebLink
Introduction and Background <br />Purpose and Need <br />The Fisher Ditch is operated by the Fisher Ditch Company, which is responsible for diverting and <br />delivering water from Clear Creek to shareholders along the ditch and appurtenant laterals. The <br />Fisher Ditch Company (Fisher) has identified a number of critical infrastructure projects along the <br />ditch which need to be addressed to maintain reliable water yields and deliveries to shareholders <br />while maintaining affordable share assessments. The projects identified herein are intended to <br />address aging/failing infrastructure and operatio ns/maintenance issues along the ditch. <br /> <br />Service Area Description <br />The Fisher Ditch diverts water from Clear Creek in the vicinity of intersection of Lowell Boulevard <br />and Interstate 76, where Lowell Boulevard crosses Clear Creek (Figure 1). This location is <br />further described as being within Section 17, Township 3 South, Range 68 West of the 6 th P.M. <br />The diversion turns water into an earthen ditc h which conveys water generally northeasterly <br />toward the South Platte River. <br /> <br />Historically, the ditch was used to irrigate small truck farms which provided produce to the Denver <br />market. Currently, water diverted under the ditch is used to irrigate small acreages under the <br />ditch, as well as to provide augmentation and i ndustrial water to north Metro municipalities and <br />commercial interests. <br />Project Sponsor <br />Company History <br />The Fisher Ditch Company is a Colorado Mut ual Ditch Company and a non-profit Corporation <br />organized under the laws of the State of Colorado. Fisher was incorporated in 1921, although the <br />ditch has been in existence since 1861, when it s earliest water right was appropriated (Appendix <br />A). <br /> <br />Fisher has the following powers and authorities: <br /> <br />1. Eminent domain (reference CRS Section 38-2-101). <br />2. Taxing or assessing authority (reference CRS Section 7-42-104). Fisher’s bylaws further <br />permit it to foreclose on shareholders for non-payment of assessments. <br />3. Contracting authority (CRS 7-40-102). <br />Board of Directors <br />The Fisher Board of Directors consists of five me mbers. Each director serves a one-year term <br />and is elected at the annual stockholders meeting. Board officers are elected by the directors <br />and perform all administrative and financial tasks. Legal and engineering services are performed <br />by independent consultants, as needed. Fisher has one employee, a ditch superintendent, who <br />conducts the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the ditch. <br />Current Shareholders <br />There are a total of 1344 outstanding Fisher shar es held by stockholders and zero treasury <br />shares (Appendix B). <br /> <br /> 2