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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I (domestic) is for 1/4 cfs; and Priority No. 51l (irrigation and stock watering) is for 1/2 cfs. The decree states that water in No. 478 may only be used during the non-irrigation season. This right is apparently owned by the District. 5. Ownership of Farmers' Water Shares. The Town of Norwood owns 60 shares of Farmers' water. Share value varies considerably from year to year, and consists of two components: natural or direct runoff flow and stored water. In general, direct flow is snowmelt runoff that is water needed immediately and must be released to Gurley Ditch; however, if direct flow exceeds downstream demand, the remainder is held in storage. The availability, duration, and quantity of direct flow per share is more variable than stored water, although the two are usually similar in overall volume. storage water* is released when direct flow* rate decreases below downstream demand. Estimates of average year yield range from 2.4 acre feet/share to 3.4 acre feet/share. (This is discussed in more detail in section Bl.) However, there have been years without any direct flow, and storage share volume is also sUbstantially less. The most severe year was in 1977, when direct flow was non-existent and storage volume per share was 0.35 cfs over one day, or 0.7 acre feet. currently, Farmers' Bylaws require storage rights to be used or lost by January 15. Also, storage water used after October 1 is subject to conveyance losses, that is, measurement is made at Gurley Reservoir outlet instead of at the shareholders diversion. The exception is between November 1st and 3rd, when a "pond run" is made for those still having storage water, for which Farmers' "stands" the ditch, and usage by shareholders is measured at their own diversion. These procedures are suitable for the typical share owner that is mostly interested in irrigation water. However, the Town's concern is water supply year around. Although not allowed by the Bylaws, nor agreed to by a written statement, Farmer's has been allowing Norwood to call upon stored water shares after January 15 as required to meet winter demand. It would be advisable, however, to pursue special exception to the Bylaws and obtain a legal written agreement allowing such storage, or to have Town shares converted to a decree with separate regulations. Only then would the Norwood-Wrights Mesa water system be able to reliably plan on usage as needed, irregardless of changes in Boards. IV-24