BOARD00468

• Board Meeting Date: 7/28/2003
• Description: CF Section - Mildred L. Rothe
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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Mildred L Rothe
July 28.30, 2003

Agenda Item 21h

Alternative 3, Construct the Rothe Augmentation Site, This would generate the needed
augmentation credits by using recharge wells and ditch water to fill recharge ponds during the
winter months when there is generally not a call on the river. Water from these ponds would
return to the river by underground percolation during the summer time while the Rothe Farm
has depletions that need to be offset with augmentation water, The augmentation wells would
supply water directly to the river during the most severe drought situation. The cost of this
alternative is $392,758, and it is the preferred alternative.

Selected Alternative 3 consists of the following 3 subprojects:

1. Rothe recharge site No.1: A 15,560-foot pipeline will be built between the South Platte
River and the Bijou Canal. A recharge well (75 HP motor with 1,500 GPM pump) will be
located at the river with electrical power run from an existing power source. An
augmentation well (100 HP motor and 1,500 GPM pump) will be located near the canal.
An existing irrigation well located along the pipeline will be converted and used as an
augmentation well, Two new canal pumps (15 HP and 2,500 GPM, and 10 HP and
2,500) will also be located on the Bijou Canal. This system will be capable of filling 8
separate augmentation pond sites, from either the river, or from the canal.

2, Rothe recharge site No.2: A 3.600-foot pipeline will be built between the South Platte
River and 3 augmentation pond sites, A recharge well (75 HP motor and 1,500 GPM
pump) will be located at the river with electrical power run from an existing power
source,

3, Sublette Recharge site: A 7,024-foot pipeline will be built between the South Platte
River and a lateral off the Riverside Canal, A recharge well (100 HP Motor and 3000
GPM pump) will be located at the river with electrical power run from an existing power
source. This system will be used to fill 22 existing recharge pond sites,

The implementation schedule calls for completion of financing arrangements and final design in
July 2003. Construction would be completed in summer and fall 2003.

Financial Analvsis
The total estimated cost of the project is $392,758 (including engineering costs), and water is
used for agricultural purposes, Staff is recommending a Small Project loan in maximum amount
of $353,482 (90% of the total project costs.) The recommended loan terms are 30 years at
2.5%, which is the CWCB agricultural loan rate.

Table 2 is a summary of the financial aspects of the project with a $353,482 CWCB Loan. The
annual payment would be $18,577 (including the 10% reserve requirement) at the loan terms of
2. 5% for 30 years. This represents $3,87 per acre-foot, based on expected annual well
pumping of 4,800 acre-feet. The Rothe cost share will come from cash on hand, The project is
being built using funds from a short-term operating loan from the Weld County Bank of Greeley,

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