Laserfiche WebLink
Serving Bent, Crowley, Otero, Prowers and Pueblo counties <br /> Lower Arkansas VallejiWATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT <br /> 801 Swink Ave. <br /> Rocky Ford,Colorado 81067 <br /> August 11,2004 <br /> RE: Colorado State University Lower Arkansas Valley Drainage Rehabilitation Study <br /> Colorado Water Conservation Board of Directors, <br /> Included in the mission of the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District is to participate in <br /> water-related projects that will embody thoughtful conservation,responsible growth,and beneficial water <br /> usage within the Lower Arkansas Valley.The Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District would <br /> like to officially support Colorado State University's proposal for a future two-year study to assess the <br /> current condition and the cost of a major rehabilitation of the 90-year old subsurface and surface drainage <br /> network in the Lower Arkansas Valley(i.e.,Water Districts 17 and 67). <br /> Investigation into the history of the drainage system in the Lower Arkansas Valley suggests that nearly <br /> 100 miles of buried tile drains and over 100 miles of surface drains were installed between 1911 and <br /> 1925. This drainage system,although now generally inoperative in several areas,is important to the <br /> irrigated lands. Over the years,the integrity of this system has been disrupted by the need to excavate <br /> plugged drains,damage to drains resulting from utility placement for housing subdivisions,flooding,and <br /> other factors. In addition,some growers have installed or replaced old drains,while the local drainage <br /> districts have tried to keep up with a generally difficult to maintain drainage system due to insufficient <br /> manholes and other original design features. <br /> A study is needed to assess the benefits to growers and how much it would cost to:(1)clean all existing <br /> subsurface drains and install additional manholes,(2)replace the entire drainage system in its current <br /> alignment,or,(3)completely redesign and install a new subsurface drainage network. The proposed <br /> study will assess the benefits and costs to growers for each of these three scenarios. In addition,an up-to- <br /> date map of the entire subsurface drainage system will be created to improve knowledge of the location of <br /> the subsurface system. Special attention will be given to investigating possible options to consolidate at <br /> least a portion of the estimated 25 active and inactive drainage districts in the lower valley. It should be <br /> mentioned that the cities in the lower valley also have an interest in improving these drainage systems, <br /> since poor drainage can contribute to local flooding. <br /> The Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District believes that this project will bring true benefit <br /> to the citizens that reside within District boundaries and hope that the CWCB will consider granting funds <br /> for this project. <br /> Sincerely, �,� <br /> / (4° nil cu/cI <br /> .y Mauchh <br /> Chairman of the Board <br /> LAVWCD <br /> 3S <br />