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<br />The diversion point for the West Rhone is approximately 0.5 mile downstream from Headgate <br />395, at a division structure commonly called the "divider box" (see diagram in Appendix C). <br />The divider box splits the flow in Lateral 395 into 4 separate channels, one of which serves the <br />West Rhone. This divider box is constructed of concrete, steel, and wood; it cannot be <br />adjusted, or calibrated, to control the flow of water into the 4 channels. Currently, the divider <br />box is not calibrated correctly (as shown in Appendix C diagram). <br /> <br />The West Rhone concrete lateral runs west for approximately 0.5 mile along I % Road, then <br />south for 0.25 mile along 21 Road, and then into the new underground pipeline for the last 0.5 <br />mile. The pipeline and lateral end at the Grand Junction Drainage District's drain ditch that <br />crosses 21 Road approximately 0.25 mile south of I Road. The total length of the sub-lateral is <br />approximately 3,950 feet, or 1.25 miles. The total distance from Headgate 395 to the end of <br />the sub-lateral is about 9,530 feet, or 1.8 miles. <br /> <br />Irrigated acreage within the West Rhone service area is used to grow alfalfa hay, grass hay, <br />and for pasture land. A map of Laterals 395 and 396, including the West Rhone lateral and <br />service area, is located in Appendix C. <br /> <br />Water Carriage Facilities <br /> <br />Approximately 0.25 miles downstream from the divider box, a tumout from the West Rhone <br />Lateral periodically diverts irrigation water to 28.6 acres of land owned by three landowners <br />with 41 shares in Lateral 395. These landowners do not own shares in the West Rhone <br />Lateral and the water supply for this turnout does not flow in the divider box channel that <br />serves the West Rhone. Instead, water is periodically diverted from the east channel of the <br />divider box into the West Rhone, using two slide gates commonly referred to as the "doubler: <br />When the doubler is opened, twice (or double) the normal amount of water flows in the West <br />Rhone. The turnout 0.25 miles downstream then diverts half the volume of water flowing in the <br />West Rhone, and the normal amount of water continues to flow downstream to the <br />shareholders of the West Rhone. If this turnout is opened when the doubler is closed, the <br />water supply to the West Rhone shareholders is cut in half. <br /> <br />The doubler arrangement is a carryover from a single landowner's historical water delivery <br />practices; that land was divided into 8 separate parcels about 3 years ago. Misuse of the <br />doubler will be an ongoing problem that adversely affects the ability of the West Rhone to <br />deliver water to its shareholders. No engineering solutions have been identified to correct this <br />problem. A map of the existing Lateral 395 and a diagram of the doubler and divider box are <br />included in Appendix C. <br /> <br />Project Alternatives <br /> <br />The purpose of this project is to provide a means for the West Rhone Lateral to provide <br />equitable, reliable delivery of irrigation water to its shareholders and effectively manage the <br />lateral for the long-term benefit of the members. Six alternatives were considered: <br /> <br />1. The no-action alternative. <br /> <br />West Rhone Lateral Ditch Company <br /> <br />Headgate and Pipeline Feasibility Study <br />August 2000 <br /> <br />3 <br />