C153321 Feasibility Study

• Contract/PO #: C153321
• Contractor Name: Ridgway, Town of
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 60
• County: Ouray
• Bill Number: SB 78-69
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

1

I

I

CHAPTER IV - WATER:

I

The Town of Ridgway possesses absolute decrees to the following

water rights:

1

a.) Ridgway Ditch - Priority #131 - 5 cubic feet per second (cfs)

I

b.) "Sibert" Ditch #66 - Priority #72 (change in diversion to head-

gate of the Ridgway Ditch) - 2 cfs

I

c.) Springs: Ridgway Spring #2 - 0.022 cfs

Ridgway Spring #3 - 0.026 cfs

1

Austin Spring

- 0.13 cfs

,

I

Total value of absolute decrees - 7.178 cfs (3230.10 gpm)
Estimated Safe Yield - 1.75 cfs

Although possessing such rights, the Town suffers great losses between

I

the point of diversion and the reservoirs. To illustrate this point, readings

1

taken on 7-14-77 at a thirty inch (30") Parshall Flume below the intake at

Beaver Creek, showed 332.13 gallons per minute (gpm) were being put into the

1

ditch. It should be noted the Parshall Flume is located above the Austin & Ridgway

#3 Springs which at the time were flowing fairly well (no weir available for reading).

I

Another reading taken on a nine inch (9") Parshall Flume in the diversion box

1

immediately ahead of the 8" diameter buried waterline in Cottonwood Canyon,

showed a flow of 264.81 gpm. Loss of water between the point of diversion

1

and the point of intake is 67.32 gpm or 96940.8 gallons per day (gpd). The

open ditch conveying the water wanders through both public and private land.

1

Losses are incurred by evaporation, seepage and direct diversion. There is

1

continual strife and disagreement between the Town and certain property owners

as to the legality of the water with respect to ownership and use. Headgates

1

1

9