WSP04328

• File Number: 8126.200
• Description: Arkansas River Coordinating Committee - Bylaws - Rules - Guidelines
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 1/1/1985
• Author: P.O. Abbott
• Title: Description of Water-Systems Operations in the Arkansas River Basin - Colorado
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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IrriRation Systems

The largest water use in the Arkansas River basin in Colorado is irriga-
tion. Surface water is the principal source of irrigation water; however,
there is some use of ground water for irrigation. Irrigation is practiced
along almost all major tributaries, where it is used for hay, alfalfa, and
irrigated pasture. Alfalfa is the major crop produced. on land served by the
major ditches in the valley. Other major crops are corn, barley, sorghum,
onions, melons, cucumbers, flower seeds, beans, tomatoes, potatoes, irrigated
pastures, and wheat. In the past, sugar beets were also a major crop in the
Arkansas River valley. Distribution of major crops, other than truck crops,
in the Arkansas River basin, 1940-8l, is shown in figure 18. Diversions from
the Arkansas River for irrigation between Bessemer Ditch headgate and the
Colorado-Kansas State line are shown in figure 19.

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1925

1930

1935

1940

1945

1950

1955

1960

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

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Figure 19.--Annual diversions from the Arkansas River between the
Bessemer Ditch headgate and the Colorado-Kansas State line.

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