C153771 Feasibility Study

• Contract/PO #: C153771
• Contractor Name: Horse Creek Water Users Association
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 17
• County: Crowley
• Bill Number: HCL
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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Box Sorinas Canal Historical Diversions
Figure 2 is a graphical representation of the cumulative annual diversions of the Box
Springs Canal from 1940 to 1990. Inspection of Figure 1 shows that starting in
approximately 1949, diversions by the Box Springs Canal were significantly reduced. As
stated previously, well development greatly increased in the late 1940's and apparently
contributed to the reduction in Box Springs Canal diversions during this period. Figure 3
is a double mass diagram showing cumulative annual Box Springs Canal diversions versus
cumulative annual precipitation recorded at the Ordway, Colorado 2 ENE weather station.
Figure 3 shows similar results as Figure 2 in which diversions by Box Springs Canal
significantly reduced beginning in approximately 1949. Figure 3 illustrates that from 1940
to 1984, annual precipitation remained relatively constant; however, starting in about
1949, Box Springs Canal diversions decreased.

Stockholders are presently able to irrigate approximately 180 acres under the Box
Springs system. Mr. Carter states that the acreage irrigated over the years has been
reduced 70 percent since 1940. The reduction in irrigated land on the Box Springs
property is caused by the reduced 'water availability for diversion in Horse Creek. Mr.
Carter reported that the streamflow is so low much of the time that it is difficult to justify
the time and expense associated with diversion of such a small head of water. Mr. Carter
recalls that barley was once a crop that produced well on the Box Springs property. Barley
began growing early in the season and matured about mid July. Barley is no longer grown
at Box Springs because streamflow is not available to divert for the last irrigation to mature
the crop.

Figure 4 shows the historic yield of alfalfa seed on the Box Springs property.
Alfalfa seed production provides a good reference for the availability of summer
streamflows because adequate water must be available during mid summer for maturation
of the crop. The historic yield is based upon the sales of alfalfa seed reported by Mr.
Carter. To obtain the historic yield of alfalfa seed, the value of the crop was divided by
the unit price given in the Colorado Agricultural Statistics published by the U. S.

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