Laserfiche WebLink
<br />'" <br /> <br />OOJ771 <br /> <br />system indicates that diverters are using retwn flows as an integral part of water supplies in the basin, <br />Because of this interdependence on surface and ground water, strategies for water conservation must take into <br />account the downstream dependence on flows returning to the system after upstream use, <br />The legal requirements affecting the adoption of water conservation measures have developed because of <br />the hydrologic characteristics of the system, Fanners adopting water conservation measures must comply <br />with the provisions set forth in the original water right decree, Farmers seeking to change the use of, or <br />transfer, water obtained using water conservation methods are subject to legal standards regarding water that <br />is saved or salvaged and must avoid injwy to other water-right holders, <br />Strategies currently being used in the basin to improve on-farm efficiencies include both structural <br />improvements in conveyance structures and irrigation systems, use of information management techniques, <br />improved crop management, and changes in crops being grown. These strategies have been adopted on a <br />continual basis in reamt histol)' throughout the South Platte basin. <br />The types of strategies adopted by farmers depend on economic feasibility, topography, soils, type of <br />crop grown, and source of water supply, Surface water users have been adopting practices such as ditch <br />lining and use of gated pipe, while ground water users typical1y adopt measures that improve the efficiency of <br />their sprinkler systems or other application methods. Adoption of irrigation scheduling practices is used <br />when farmers are able to control the timing of water deliveries, <br />The primmy justification by individual operators for initiating water conservation practices has been to <br />extend supplies within the season or in subsequent seasons by enhancing storage reserves, Because the <br />amount of decreed water rights exceed average annual water supplies in the basin, water shortages are <br />common. These shortages involve lack of sufficient supplies to completely satisfY ET requirements of the <br />acreage and array of crops produced under any given decree for either a portion or an entire growing season. <br />During the early and late periods of the growing season stream flows are often inadequate to meet direct <br />diversion requirements of decrees, In addition, when more than one crop is produced under the same decree, <br />irrigation water is preferentially allocated to the higher value crop, while the lower value crop is maintained <br />under deficit irrigation (i.e" the quantity of irrigation water applied is less than the ET demand of the crop), <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />, <br />i1 <br /> <br />I <br />III <br />f:: <br />,j <br />. <br />'1 <br />I. <br />, <br /> <br />Imolications, The adoption of water conservation strategies can impact water availability, local and regional <br />hydrology, and water quality, Water supply deficiencies in the basin are illustrated by individual situations <br />where decrees do not provide adequate supply to complete a crop, and over-appropriation of existing <br />supplies, indicating that demand exceeds supply, <br />The individual water-short irrigator can improve water use efficiency or seek supplemental supplies such <br /> <br />48 <br />