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The daily Red Mesa diversion amounts are based on a visual evaluation of the conditions. The <br /> criteria are so complicated that an equation could not be developed for a spreadsheet format <br /> which generated the correct diversion in all conditions. The period 1975 to 1992 was selected <br /> because it includes dry,wet and average runoff years <br /> The reservoir is operated so that water is stored beginning about November first and stores all <br /> winter and into the spring until either the reservoir is filled or the water rights are not in priority. <br /> The domestic water is released on a constant pattern all 12 months but may be modified <br /> depending upon the augmentation or exchange plan developed for each water sale. <br /> Irrigation water is released when the three ditches are not in priority to divert water directly from <br /> the LaPlata River. Irrigation water is assumed in the operation study to be released on an ideal <br /> irrigation demand pattern until the irrigation season is over or until the reservoir drops to 200 <br /> acre-feet. The actual releases of irrigation water will be on demand; each share holder can call <br /> for his share of water at any time. Presently the Company reduces each share (one share is <br /> entitled to one acre-foot) 10% for evaporation and reservoir losses plus an additional 5% <br /> reduction per month for releases after the first of July, this practice is assumed in the operation <br /> study. <br /> A stream gage is located at the outlet of the reservoir to measure the releases to Company share <br /> holders. The releases are measured and each shareholder is responsible for water losses from the <br /> reservoir to the point of use. The conveyance losses are the reason that many irrigators are <br /> installing pipelines and sprinkler systems which cut the losses in half and nearly double the water <br /> applied to the crop. <br /> During the period when the reservoir is not in priority, water entering the reservoir from Hay <br /> Gulch is passed through to downstream users. During the periods when the reservoir is in <br /> priority Hay Gulch flows will be stored, this water has not been included in the reservoir inflow <br /> to allow a contingency and because it is difficult to estimate in the future. Presently, the Hay <br /> Gulch Ditch diverts LaPlata River flows all winter for stock water, but only about half of the <br /> diversion reaches Red Mesa Reservoir. <br /> A critical assumption in the January, 1995 draft report was whether winter water in the LaPlata <br /> River can be diverted into Red Mesa Reservoir either through the Supply Ditch or through Hay <br /> Gulch Ditch then to the reservoir. The upstream ditches take the position that they have diverted <br /> winter water for stock and should be allowed to continue to divert all of the winter water but <br /> these ditches do not have winter water rights. Resolution of this issue was critical to the Red <br /> 15 <br />