WSP03745

• File Number: 8111.815
• Description: Arkansas River Compact Administration
• Basin: Arkansas
• Date: 4/1/1990
• Author: UCACOE
• Title: Drought Contingency Plan - John Martin and Trinidad Lake - Appendix D
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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SECTION V - WATER USES AND USERS.

5-01. Current Project Water Uses and Users. Project storage in the two
multipurpose Corps projects are used primarily for the authorized purposes of
flood control, irrigation supply, sediment control, and recreation. Secondary
or incidental uses of the projects are fish and wildlife enhancement.

a. Irrigation. The raising of stock feed is a major' use of irrigation in
the Arkansas River Basin. Alfalfa is the most common crop, followed by irrigated
pasture, and small grains. Surface water is the largest source of irrigation
water; however, there is some use of ground water for irrigation. The ditches
on the Purgatoire River and Arkansas River above and below the Corps projects
are described in the following paragraphs respectively.

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1. Purgatoire River Below Trinidad Lake. The principal area of
irrigation in the Purgatoire River Basin is located just east and downstream from
Trinidad Dam. Ditches in this area are part of the Purgatoire River Water
Conservancy District (PRWCD) which receive water from Trinidad Lake. Ditches
diverting on the south side are the Chilili, the enlarged South side (which
conveys water to the Victor Florez), and the Lewelling-McCormick. Ditches
diverting from the north side of the river are the Baca, E1 Moro, Model Inlet
Canal, Hoehne, and the Salas. When the irrigation pool is empty, operation of
the ditch's water rights reverts to the priority system and is administered by
the Colorado State Engineer. Table 5-1 shows the priority system for the ditches
below Trinidad Dam.

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2. Arkansas River Below John Martin Reservoir. Major irrigation
conveyances diverting from the Arkansas River below John Martin Dam are the
Keesee, Lamar, Fort Bent, Amity, X-Y, and Buffalo. All of the canal and ditch
systems on the Arkansas River downstream from John Martin Dam are in Colorado
Water District 67. These systems, and others in Kansas, store winter and excess
stream flows in John Martin Reservoir for later use during the irrigation season.
The Fort Bent Canal and the Keesee ditch share a common diversion dam. The Fort
Bent Canal flows through the city of Lamar and irrigates lands both west and east
of town. Water is also conveyed in the canal to recharge the city of Lamar's
well field. The Keesee ditch irrigates the flood plain west of Lamar. The
Amity Canal diverts from the north bank about 8 miles downstream from John Martin
Dam. The Great Plains Reservoirs (Nee So Pah, Nee No She, Nee Granda, and Nee
Skah) are part of the Amity system. These reservoirs are broad, shallow lakes.
These are just a few of the major canals and ditches diverting water from the
Arkansas River below John Martin Dam. Table 5-2 shows the priority system for
all major canals or ditches diverting water below John Martin Dam in Colorado
and Kansas.

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5-1

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