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<br />~ r .. ... <br />l~ I ( <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />PART III--PROBLEMS AND NEEDS OF THE AREA <br /> <br />IRRIGATION <br /> <br />Because of inadequate water supplies, the areas irrigated <br />within the Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District have been <br />limited, and the irrigation potentialities of the basin have failed <br />to materialize. The frequent lack of sufficient surface water <br />supplies has caused many irrigators to construct wells for pumping <br />ground water for supplemental irrigation. About one-half of the <br />total farm irrigation supply was obtained from this source during <br />the l5-year period 1947-61. Water supply shortages have been <br />further intensified by severe drouths which cause serious depletions <br />of the surface water supply and a resultant greater demand on the <br />wells. For example, in 1956 well and surface supplies together <br />provided only about two-thirds of the farm irrigation requirement. <br />Of this available supply, nearly equal amounts were obtained from <br />each source; i.e., about 50 percent was supplied from wells and the <br />other 50 percent from surface supplies. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />FLOODS <br /> <br />The eastern slope of Colorado, including the South Platte <br />River Basin, is subject to deluge type of rainstorms that are erratic <br />and incredibly violent. Such storms during the period 1844 to 1965 <br />have caused major floods on nine different occasions. Numerous <br />smaller, though severe, floods have also occurred. The impact on <br />the affected areas is substantial; property, transportation facilities, <br />crops, and livestock are destroyed, often resulting in devastating <br />effects to the economy. <br /> <br />EXPANSION OF ECONOMIC BASE <br /> <br />The greatest needs of this agricultural area are expansion <br />of irrigation and control of floods. The beneficial effects of <br />increased irrigation would be reflected in many sectors of the <br />economy: agricultural production would be stabilized at higher <br />and more profitable levels, the individual irrigator would be <br />virtually assured of a level of economic well-being consistent <br />with his own industry and ability, cattlemen would be afforded <br />a more reliable source of feedstuffs for maintenance of herdS, <br />and the overall business atmosphere of towns and cities would <br />be enhanced. <br /> <br />*. <br /> <br />12 <br />