PROJ00540

• Contract/PO #: C153697
• Contractor Name: Norwood, Town of and Norwood Water Commission
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 60
• County: San Miguel
• Bill Number: FSL
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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Feasibilitv. The main purpose of the water wells
would be to provide a suoolemental water supply
only. This supply would be valuable if thare ~as a
breakdown in the main supply line, or an
interruption in the Gurley system. Therefore, a
cost will be developed for this alternative;
however, it cannot be compared directly with other
feasible alternatives which provide the primary
source of water.

7. Alternative 2 = Use of Existinq Gurlev Svstem in
Winter.

Discussion. Under this option, water would be
released down the Gurley Ditch in small flows as has
been done in previous years. The Town would have to
stand the water loss in the ditch and storage losses
of 5% per month in the reservoir. This would
require flow measurement below the reservoir, and
again below the headgate. This option will require
additional time and maintenance by Gurley Reservoir
personnel.

since the Farmers Water bylaws technically do not
allow any release of water from November 1st until
mid May, modifications to the bylaws must be made to
allow winter release. This is basically a
procedural matter and would require a vote of the
shareholders.

since water will be lost to seepage and evaporation
during the winter, and since it should be legally
accounted for, an estimate was made of possible
winter time losses. The average future winter water
requirement from Gurley is estimated to be .46 cfs,
which is equivalent to .92 AF/day. Because of the
small flow and the relatively large size of the
ditch, seepage losses could be in the range of 15%
to 40%. For conservative purposes, a seepage loss
of 30% was estimated. Thus, to get .46 cfs at the
headgate, .60 cfs would be released and .14 cfs
would be lost.

Basically, this amount of additional water would
have to be purchased to account for losses in the
Gurley Ditch, if water is properly accounted for.

Feasibilitv. This is basically the existing system.
Farmers Water had indicated it is no longer
feasible, particularly in dry years when storage
reserves are minimal. Farmers Water has indicated
that cracking the headgate open for an extended
period may cause damage. If the headgate has to be
replaced, Gurley Reservoir must be completely

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