WSPC02008

• File Number: 8530.300
• Description: Rio Grande Basin-Water User Groups and Conservancy Districts-Rio Grande Water Conservation District
• State: CO
• Basin: Rio Grande
• Water Division: 3
• Date: 7/1/1970
• Title: WCD-Rio Grande Water Conservation District-Corres Reports etc-1967-82-Summary Report of the Norton Drain Project for the Rio Grande Water Conservation District
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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SUMMARY OF THE NORTON DRAIN PROJECT

Prepared for the Rio Grande Water Conservation District

June 210, 1970

At the request of the Board of Directors this summary of the Norton Drain
Project bas been written. This should serve aa a reference when future
drainage projects are planned.

The study has been dividad into five
complete the project; 3) Costs; 4)
recommendations for future projects.
in that order.

parts: 1) History; 2) Work done to
Results; and 5) Observations and
The following summary will be presented

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1. History of the Project:

Early in 1968 the Board of Directors of the Rio Grande Water Conservation
District gave the Norton Drain Project top priority among the projects
to be studied. This project was chosen because: a) It appeared to be
one which would have a favorable cost/benefit ratio; b) It would serve
a dual purpose in that the land through which the drain passed was
water logged and badly in need of a drainage system, thus making the
project desirable to the adjacent land owners; c) A supply of water
at the upper terminus was guaranteed from the Bountiful Waste ditch;
d) The amount of water thought to be available was of sufficient quantity
to make an ideal pilot drainage project to be used for study of future
projects; and e) The salvaged water resulting from the project would
be real evidence of the efforts of the San Luis Valley water users and
the State of Colorado to meet the obligations of the Rio Grsnde Compact.

In April 1968 the Bosrd of Directors authorized 0 preliminary engineering
study. The study was completed in May and indicated the project was
both feasible and desirable. Cost of excavation of the Main Branch
was estimated at $60,000 and the Board immediately began to try to
locate funds to finance the work. At this time it was believed that
Conejos County and private land owners adjacent to the proposed drain
would pay for the necessary structures.

That summer, when it became apparent that funds could not be obtained
for construction of the extensions in 1968, cleaning of the existing
drain was started. Cleaning was completed for approximately six of
the six and one-half miles of existing drain and the project was in-
active until summer of 1969.

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