BOARD02650

• Board Meeting Date: 3/20/2000
• Description: CF Section - The Otero Ditch Company
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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STATE OF COLORADO

Colorado Water Conservation Board

Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street, Room 721
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone' [phone] M E M 0 RAN DUM
FAX, [phone]

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TO:

Colorado Water Conservation Board Members

Bill Owens
Governor

FROM:

John Van Sciver, P.E. --.Jl...0(.[)
Mike Serlet, P.E., Chief IIf (
Water Supply Planning flM'Finance Section.

Greg E.Wakher
Execu bve Director

Peter H Evans
eweB Director

Dan McAuliffe
Deputy Director

DATE: March 2, 2000

SUBJECT: Agenda Item 9a., March 20-21, 2000 Board Meeting
The Otero Ditch Company

Introduction
The Otero Ditch Company (ODC) is applying for a $155,000 Emergency Loan to reconstruct the
Company's diversion structure on the Arkansas River. The estimated total cost of the project is
$616,409. Please see the attached project summary and map.

Backaround
The ODC, located in Otero County, operates the Otero Ditch for the benefit of the shareholders by
providing direct flow irrigation water. The ditch diverts from the Arkansas River, 2 miles east of the
Town of Fowler, and water deliveries are made through the Company's ditch to the BOOO-acre
service area. The ODC diversion was washed out along with the right abutment during severe
flooding in April and May 1999. For this reason the Company is eligible for a loan from the CWCS
Emergency Infrastructure Repair Account. The ODC needs to rebuild the diversion prior to the
2000 irrigation season.

Feasibility Studies
This project qualifies for federal funding under the Emergency Watershed Program. John
Andrews, P.E. (State Conservation Engineer, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS), Lakewood Colorado) has completed final plans and specifications for the project. Dave
Miller of the NRCS completed a Damage Cost Estimate. John Van Sciver will complete the
CWCS Feasibility Study using information provided by the NRCS and the Company. The study is
in final draft form and includes an assessment of altematives available for rehabilitation of the
ODC diversion.

The Otero Ditch Companv
The ODC is a mutual ditch company and a non-profit corporation registered in the State of
Colorado. There are 66 shareholders and 4975 shares of stock. The ODC has the power to set
annual assessments to be paid by the shareholders, the power to cut off water deliveries to
shareholders that fail to pay their assessments, and the power to offer stock for sale to pay
back assessments.