PROJ00284

• Contract/PO #: C153797
• Contractor Name: Excelsior Irrigating Company
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 14
• County: Pueblo
• Bill Number: SB 97-008
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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ALTERNATIVES EV ALUA TED

A range of alternatives were considered including 1) Don't build the project, 2) Rehabilitate the
river diversion and headgate, and the wasteway back to the river, and construct a gaging station,
and 3) Completely rehabilitate the entire facility.

A subjective evaluation of the alternatives follows:

I. Don't build the project:

The shareholders would be unable to irrigate 2,200 acres of cropland or continue to
operate the ready-mix facility without fully augmenting their wells. Ditch water would
not be available for use for well augmentation. The cost to purchase sufficient
augmentation water from an outside source would be prohibitive. The do nothing
alternative is not feasible.

2. Rehabilitate the river diversion and headgate, and the wasteway back to the
river, and construct a gaging station:

The Excelsior Ditch right could be physically diverted from the river, and then returned
to the river for augmentation credit, or for sale to Arkansas Ground Water User's
Association (AGUA), an augmentation company. This option would cost approximately
$200,000, would maintain the water right in good standing, and would provide income
or credit for water returned to the river. However, it would not be possible to use the
water right directly in the service area, and all wells would still need to be fully
augmented. This alternative is feasible, but is not the preferred alternative by the
majority stockholder.

3. Completely rehabilitate the entire facility:

Rebuilding the system will enable the shareholders to operate the project and continue a
farming operation and ready-mix concrete business, by using the direct flow rights of
the Excelsior Ditch. It will also allow the farming operation to secure augmentation
water at a considerably lesser net cost by business agreement with AGUA. The cost of
this alternative is estimated at $728,000. This is the preferred alternative.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service has provided technical engineering assistance
establishing the required grades and setting cut and fill stakes. The Company's engineer has
provided design assistance for the road crossings and diversion works as well as with
negotiations with the state water officials.

Feasibility Study
Rehabilitation of the Excelsior Ditch
July 1996; Updated March 1998

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