WSP03538

• File Number: 8407
• Description: Platte River Basin - River Basin General Publications
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 1/1/1978
• Author: Colorado Water Resou
• Title: Impact of Irrigation Efficiency Changes on Water Availability in the South Platte River Basin - Preliminary Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

GU020n

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Settlers Ditch. The Settlers Ditch diverts from the river 54.5 miles

downstream from the Balzac gage and serves about 4,000 acres of irrigated

land on the north side of the river extending about 30 miles to near the

State line. The average diversion of river water by the Settlers Ditch

in the l5-year study period was 1,800 acre-feet. The lowest diversion

was 0 acre-feet in 1956 and the highest was 5,100 acre-feet in 1958. The

Settlers Ditch picks up water both directly and indirectly from the Jules-

burg Reservoir and the Highline Ditch. Many irrigation wells in the service

area supplement the ditch water. The estimated efficiency of the Settlers

Ditch delivery system is 75 percent.

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Peterson Ditch, The Peterson Ditch diverts from the river 66.6 miles

downstream from the Balzac gaging station (17.2 miles upstream from the

Julesburg gaging station) and irrigates 9,000 to 10,000 acres of land on

the north side of the river extending to the State line, The Peterson

Ditch diverted an average of 8,700 acre-feet per year during the l5-year

study period. The lowest diversion was 3,900 acre-feet in 1954 and the

highest was 15,500 acre-feet in 1947, The estimated delivery efficiency

of the Peterson Ditch is 70 percent. Many irrigation wells are in use

between the Peterson Ditch and the river.

South Reservation Ditch. The South Reservation Ditch diverts from

the river 11.6 miles upstream from the Julesburg gage and irrigates about

1,600 acres on the south side of the river, all within 1/2 mile of the

river. During the l5-year study period, the South Reservation Ditch diverted

an average of 3,700 acre-feet per year. The lowest annual diversion was

1,700 acre-feet in 1948 and the highest was 5,600 acre-feet in 1952. Ditch

personnel estimate that only 5 percent of the water diverted is lost to

seepage.

Liddle Ditch. The Liddle Ditch diverts 9.4 miles upstream of the

Julesburg gaging station and serves about 1,350 acres of irrigated land

on the north side of the river. The average diversion during the l5-year

study period by the Liddle Ditch was 2,300 acre-feet, ranging from a low of

1,100 acre-feet in 1949 to a high of 3,300 acre-feet in 1959. The delivery

efficiency of the Liddle Ditch is estimated to be about 75 percent.

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