Laserfiche WebLink
<br />u;_______ ___ <br /> <br />L" <br />M <br />~ <br /> <br />somewhat limited due to deficient irrigation water and a low financial <br />return from farm and ranch operationso About one-third of the landowners <br />within the area have signed cooperative agreements with the Bookc1iff <br />Conservation District. Soil Conservation Service technicians have worked <br />with ditch companies and water users in planning and app1icatioa of irri- <br />gation improvements. Much conservation and improvement work reaains to <br />be done. As the economic conditions of the area improve, the cmservatiol!l <br />activities will accelerate. <br /> <br />Flood Prevention Structural Measures <br /> <br />The high and intermediate elevation zones do not pose any general floed <br />problems to the project. Due to this situation no large flood comtro1 <br />structures are required. Wherever crf~ical areas do exist, improved mana- <br />gement and use, plus related measures such as fencing, revegetation and <br />small structures, will correct erosion problems. <br /> <br />The lower elevation zone has steep slopes, raw soils and sparse vegetation. <br />Flood prevention structures will be ineffective under these conditions. <br />TIle amount of flood water will be small due to short slopes and low rainfall. <br /> <br />Canals serving project lands will be affected by runoff from lands in this <br />1ClWer elevati on zone. One sh'l.ll' a,n;a above a reach of the proposed Davie <br />Ditch is quite critical. Ditch and canal design should provide protection <br />frllll runoff from these lands. <br /> <br />Irrigation Aspects <br /> <br />Irrigated lands of the project are interspersed between natural drainageways <br />through the project. Most of these drainageways are well channelized and <br />will contain most flood flows. There will be some bank cutting along edges <br />of cultivated fields that will need attention. The installation of efficient <br />farm irrigation systems, improved Irrigation water management and proper <br />disposal of waste water will reduce bank cutting where fields are next to <br />deep channels. Some dralnageways may require head stabllizatiom and erasloli <br />control structures to protect them from cutting. Proper use and disposal <br />of irrigation water may alleviate some of the subsurface drainage problems <br />that exist within the project area. Assistance is available from Federal, <br />State and local agencies to install necessary irrigation improvement, <br />~rosion control, and drainage practices. <br /> <br />Findings <br /> <br />Watershed conditions do not pose a flood hazard to the project. They do <br />produce sediment which will be deposited In the project reservoir and will <br />cause canal cleaning problems. The Rifle Gap Reservoir is designed te <br />provide storage for 100 years of sediment accumulation without encroach- <br />ment on the active irrigation capacity. Any reduction in the sediment <br />will lengthen this period. Most of the sediment comes frOll preb1em areas <br />which can be improved by watershed treatment measures. Watershed treatment <br /> <br />"'''' <br />