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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />!'" -,-.,...... <br />It\)i <br /> <br />EART III--PROBLEMS AND NEEDS OF THE AREA <br /> <br />IRRIGATION <br /> <br />Because of inadequate water 8upplies, the areas irrigated within <br />the Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District have been limited, <br />and the irrigation potentialities of the basin have failed to <br />materialize. The frequent lack of sufficient surface water supplies <br />has caused many irrigators to construct wells for pumping ground water <br />for supplemental irrigation. Forty-two percent of the total farm <br />irrigation supply was obtained from this source during the 15-year <br />period 1947-61. Water supply shortages have been further intensified <br />by severe drouths which cause serious depletions of the surface water <br />supply and a resultant greater demand on the wells. For example, in <br />1956, water from wells met about one-half of the farm irrigation require- <br />ment and constituted about 80 percent of the total farm supply available. <br /> <br />FLOODS <br /> <br />The eastern slope of Colorado, including the South Platte River <br />Basin, is subject to deluge type of rainstorms that are erratic and <br />incredibly violent. Such storms during the period 1844 to 1965 have <br />caused major floods on nine different occasions. Numerous smaller, al- <br />though severe, floods have also occurred. The impact on the affected <br />areas is substantial; property, transportation facilities, crops, and <br />livestock are destroyed, often resulting in devastating effects to <br />the economy. <br /> <br />EXPANSION OF ECONOI{[C BASE <br /> <br />The greatest needs of this agricultural area are expansion of <br />irrigation and control of floods. The benefIcial effects of Increased <br />irrigation would be reflected In many sectors of the economy: agricul- <br />tural production would be stabilized at hIgher and more profItable <br />levels, the Individual irrigator would be vIrtually assured of a level <br />of economic well-beIng consistent with his own Industry and ability, <br />cattlemen would be afforded a more reliable source of feedstuffs for <br />maintenance of herds, and the overall business atmosphere of towns and <br />cities would De enhanced. <br /> <br />12 <br />