WSP04510

• File Number: 8220.128.J
• Description: Silt Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/1951
• Author: USDOI - BOR
• Title: Silt Project-Colorado - A Supplement to the Colorado River Storage Project Report - Part 2 of 2
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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CHAPTER V

AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY

Payment Capacity

Based on financial records of the Farmers Irrigation Company, the
annual costs of the existing Grass Valley Canal, Harvey Gap Reservoir,
and lateral systems amount to ~i8,370 or $1.55 an irrigated acre. Of
these only the annual cost of Grass Valley Canal could be expected to
change with project development. Rehabilitation of this canal is
expected to result in a saving of about $640 in annual costs. After
project construction it is estin~ted that the total annual costs for
operation, maintenance, and replacements chargeable to water users
served by the Grass Valley Canal would be $10,080 or $1.58 an acre.
This estimate takes into account the cost of new and existing project
works and the total area to be served in Dry Elk Valley and on Harvey
Mesa upon completion of the project. The estimated annual cost of
irrigation features to be used in serving lands under Davie Ditch is
$2,400 or $2.61 an acre. The total annual expenditures necessary for
operation, maintenance, and replacement of irrigation works with and
without project development are shown in the following table.

ANNUAL COST OF IRRIGATION FACILITIES WITH AND UITHOUT PROJECT

Without With 1/
Feature ro'ect ro'ect:l
Lands served from Grass Valley Cana~
Rifle Gap Reservoir
Grass Valley Canal
Drainage facilities
Harvey Gap Reservoir and existing
laterals not affected by project
Subtotal
Lands served by Davie ditch
Rifle Gap Reservoir 800
Davie ditch and pump 1 600
Subtotal 2,400
Total 12 80
1 Annual costs for features to be constructed as part of the project
have been allocated between lands served by Grass Valley Canal and Davie
Ditch on the basis of use-of-facilities.

$2,140

$ 2,200
1,500
150

The amount of money available for debt retirement (amortization
capacity) was determined as the difference in payment capacity with and
without project development after deduction had been made for operation,
maintenance, and replacement s. Although the computed amortization capaci-
ties vary among the various project areas, as summarized in the following
table, it is reconunended that one rate be set for lands of Harvey Mesa
and Dry Elk Valley. These two areas are at present served by the Farmers
Irrigation Company and annual assessments are normally made at a uniform
rate per share of stock. Davie ditch lands would be charged at the rate
of their computed capacity.

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