WSP06233 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I.J.s....~ 4 I /(J AJ\(J.,~,<J-- RECEIVED c.') 99 '. 'MAR 1 5 19 ~ ONISlON tNGlNfER .... PUEll\.O. COLOAAOO 00 HELTON & WILLIAMSEN, P,C. CONSULTING ENGINEERS IN WATER RESOURCES 384 INVERNESS DRIVE SOUTH, SUITE 144 ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112-5822 PHONE (303) 792-2161 FAX (303) 792-2165 March 11, 1999 Mr. Steven J. Witte, Division Engineer Colorado Division of Water Resources 310 E. Abriendo, Suite B Puebio, Colorado 81004 Subject: Administration and Operation Highland Canal Water Rights Dear Steve: We have prepared this proposal for a procedure for administering and operating the Highland water rights in response to your letter of February 12, 1999. Pursuant to your instructions in this letter, we have assumed that (1) a gaging station has been established at the Highland Diversion Dam, (2) a Parshall flume has been installed on the canal a short distance from the headgate, and (3) both measuring points are connected to a data collection platform so that flow data are available to both your personnel and LAWMA on a real-time basis. We have also assumed that the Highland Diversion Dam has been repaired so that the canal can sweep the river. Finally, we understand that Bill Howland presently administers these water rights and performs the accounting of consumptive use and return flow credits for LAWMA's portion of them, and have assumed in this proposal that Mr. Howland will continue to perform these functions. The general administration and operational procedure will not need to be varied when different flow rates are available or desired under the Highland water rights and therefore we have not specified different procedures for different flow rates. The administration of these water rights in relation to other rights on the Purgatoire and Arkansas Rivers does change to some extent with different flow rates, but this is the present situation and is the result of the relative priorities of the water rights involved; the Arkansas River Compact and the decree in Case No. 1325 in the Bent County District Court, which as you know specifies a sort of futile call condition. Our proposed procedure involves four steps Which are listed and discussed in the following paragraphs: 1 ) LAWMA will inform Mr. Howland of the demand under the Highland water rights. LAWMA will consult with the non-LAWMA stockholders and will notify Mr. Howland of the date when the stockholders wish to tum the ditch on in the spring, of the demands for water under the Highland rights and changes in demands that may occur during the irrigation season, and the date when they wish to shut the ditch off in the fall. The ditch will usually be turned on sometime in March and be operated into November. Nonnally, the stockholders will want all the water that is available to them under the priority system as has been the historical practice. Exceptions will occur when occasional freshets occur in the Purgatoire River that reduce the water demand and when LAWMA is not wanting its full amount of water. Outside of the April-through-Dctober period, when only non-LAWMA owners are wanting water, Ihe diversions Into the canal will be Ilmiled 10 4.5 cfs, which is based on prorated historical delivery rates and a 3.00 cfs allowance for canal losses.