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I ('\""'1'1~1 ," , 1. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I depended exclusively on surface supplies. This strategy has not been implemented on a cooperative or formal basis, or through the administration of the Weldon Valley Ditch Company. On the contrary, it evolved because individual irrigators found it more convenient to independently utilize subsurface, rather than surface, supplies. No attempt has been made by downstream ditch beneficiaries of this practice to reimburse pumpers for their power costs. Drought problems incurred by Weldon Valley could be mitigated to a large degree by construction and operation of a GASP well system in the alluvium adjacent to the Weldon Valley ditch. A ground water discharge capability into the ditch of approximately 50 to 60 cfs would be desirable. The well system, which would be comparable to that provided at Sterling No.1, would be a valuable drought-oriented supply strategy. It would also be appropriate for Weldon Valley to apply for existing wells under the ditch to be declared alternate points of diversion. If part of the Weldon Valley surface water priority was lacking in the river, this legal action would enable the balance of the right to be made up by ground water extraction. Tetsel Ditch Company applied for and received a loan through the drought aid relief program sponsored by USBR to construct four wells hydraulically contiguous with the ditch. The wells won't be installed until a court decree is issued which grants the right to use the wells as alternate points of diversion. The case is pending. Although proposed capacity of the well system is 20.2 cfs, pumpage in excess of the 17 cfs original decree would not be legally allowed. , i, .. ._0> ,h "jl., .. it&;,,:.,~ _.~:.;,'. 1. " Xl