Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />") i"\ (" .~ <br />';<;0.1.. <br /> <br />CROWLEY COUNTY <br /> <br />>- <br />I- <br />Z <br />:J <br />o <br />U <br />o <br />J <br />lD <br />I.LI <br />:J <br />a.. <br /> <br />THE AREA <br /> <br />The Patterson Hollow Hydrologic Unit <br />Area (HUA) lies in the irrigated plains region <br />of the Arkansas River, which is east of Pueblo. <br />This area receives approximately 11 inches of <br />precipitation per year. <br /> <br />Historical development of the irrigation <br />water resources in the HUA is divided into <br />four areas. 1) direct diversion development; 2) <br />water storage; 3) transmountain diversion; <br />and 4) development of groundwater. <br /> <br />The Patterson Hollow HUA covers <br />59,700 irrigated acres. The Rocky Ford Ditch, <br />which in 1861 was Colorado's second water <br />right, forms the heart of the HUA. Four other <br />irrigation canals in the Patterson Hollow HUA <br />are the Highline, Oxford, Catlin, and Otero. <br /> <br /> <br />H UA AREA <br /> <br />There are 505 operating units in the <br />area. Census data indicates that approximately <br />50 percent of the operators are limited re- <br />source farmers. <br /> <br />Crops consist of corn, alfalfa, vegeta- <br />bles, small grains, sorghum, and dry beans. <br />The vegetables are primarily melous, onions, <br />tomatoes, peppers, and beans. <br /> <br />The lack of Best Managem~nt Pra:\itices <br />(BMPs) being applied in the area perri1.itted <br />over and under irrigation, deeppercol~tion, <br />and erosion to occur. This caused the salt, <br />nutrient, sediment and pesticide buildup iv. the <br />Arkansas River and in downstream irrigation <br />canals. <br /> <br />