PROJ00476

• Contract/PO #: C153594
• Contractor Name: Handy Ditch Company
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 4
• County: Larimer
• Bill Number: HB 91-1006
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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PROJECT S~RY

Handy Reservoir, more commonly known as Welch Reservoir, serves
approximately 10,000 acres of agricultural land in Larimer and Weld Counties.
Up to 5,000 acre-feet of water are delivered each year to Handy Ditch Company
stockholders, providing supplemental water to meet the irrigation requirements
of corn, pinto beans, alfalfa, grain and sugar beets.
The Office of the State Engineer imposed storage restrictions on Welch
Reservoir after a sink hole developed at the No. 1 outlet works in June of
1990. Temporary repairs were made to allow the reservoir to function for the
remainder of the 1990 irrigation seasOn. However, effective September 30,
1990, the No, 1 outlet works could no longer be used until permanent repairs
are made. Financial assistance is being sought from the Colorado Water
Conservation Board for replacement of the No.1 outlet works at Welch
Reservoir, The estimated cost of this project is $190,000, including
engineering, construction, and construction observation"
Numerous repair and improvement projects have been undertaken over the
years by the Handy Ditch Company for which funding has been borrowed from
various sources. Thus, the Handy Dit~h Company is also requesting loan monies
to repay an existing loan with the Wi~hita Bank of Co-operatives in the amount
of $120,000, The total loan request is $310,000 for a period of 40 years,

CONCLUSIONS ~D RECOMMENDATIONS
The No.1 outlet works at Welch Reservoir must be repaired in order for
the reservoir to store and release water at historical levels, If this
supplemental irrigation water is not available from Welch Reservoir, crop
production could be reduced by as much as 25%, causing undue hardship for the