Laserfiche WebLink
<br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />PROJECT SUMMARY <br />Ish Reservoir (New Ish ownership) serves approximately 15,500 acres of agri- <br />cultural land in Boulder, Larimer and Weld Counties. Up to 4500 acre-feet of <br />water are delivered each year to Ish Reservoir Company stockholders, providing <br />supplemental water to meet the needs of irrigated crops such as alfalfa hay, <br />corn and grain. <br />As a part of the State Dam Safety Program, Ish Reservoir was inspected by <br />the Office of the State Engineer. Seepage was noted below both the southeast <br />and northwest dams on the reservoir, resulting in the imposition of storage <br />restrictions until necessary improvements were made. Repairs to the southeast <br />dam were completed in the spring of 1987. The Ish Reservoir Company intended to <br />install the toe drain needed at the northwest dam in increments to spread the <br />financial burden. However, the impending storage restriction that will be put <br />into effect if the drain is not installed has necessitated seeking financial <br />assistance to complete the installation in one phase. <br />The total project cost is estimated to be approximately $71,000. <br />Application has been made to Farm Credit Services in Wichita, Kansas for one- <br />half the funding. The remainder is being sought through the Colorado Water <br />Conservation Board in the form of a loan at five percent interest for a period <br />of 20 years. <br /> <br />CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS <br />A toe drain must be installed adjacent to the northwest dam at Ish Reservoir <br />in order for the reservoir to store water at historical levels. The unavailabi- <br />lity of this water will have detrimental effects on the ability of Ish Reservoir <br />Company stockholders to raise the crops that can maximize their income. <br />Economic conditions for farmers over the past several years have been difficult <br />at best, and losing supplemental irrigation water would certainly cause an addi- <br />tional hardship. Assistance from the Colorado Water Conservation Board in the <br />form of a low interest loan would provide needed support in a s,ituation of <br />limited options. <br /> <br />I li <br /> <br />J <br />