WSP06233

• File Number: 8143.800
• Description: John Martin Reservoir - Water and Contracts
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 12/1/1999
• Title: Report of the Colorado State Engineer - Concerning Accounting of the Operations of an Offset Account in John Martin Reservoir for Colorado Pumping - 1998 -- Part 2 of 2
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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HELTON & WILLIAMSEN, P,C.
CONSUl.T/NG ENGINEERS IN WATER RESOURCES
384 INVERNESS DRIVE SOUTH, SUITE 144
ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112
PHONE [phone]
FAX [phone]

April 30, 1998

MEMORANDUM

TO:

Steven J. Witte
Tom Williamsen yP'~ /f1./~

FROM:

SUBJECT: Calculations of Stream Credits - Highland Canal

This memorandum supplements information provided to your office previously
concerning the historical operation of the Highland Canal. It also describes the procedures
used to estimate the historical consumptive use and stream credits available to LAWMA
pursuant to its acquisition of a majority interest in the Highland Irrigation Company.

Prior to 1997, the diversions into the Highland Canal were reduced by depletions to the
Arkansas and Purgatoire Rivers from well pumping. Specifically, the Highland was affected by
reduced accretions in conservation storage in John Martin Reservoir and increased calls from
ditches in Water District 67, and to the extent they occurred, depletions to Purgatoire River flows
from well pumping in the Purgatoire River basin. Since well owners now have to replace their
pumping depletions, additional water will be available under the Colorado pre-compact water
rights on these strearps, LAWMA, as owner of the Highland water rights, should benefit from
this increased yield the same as the owners of the other pre-compact surface rights. We are
proposing in this memorandum volumetric limitations based ~n the irrigation requirements for
the historical irrigated acreage rather than average historical diversions.

lrriaated Acreaae and Crops

In 1997, LAWMA acquired 2,682 shares out of 3,800 shares outstanding of Highland
Irrigation Company stock. Irrigation of 2,304.7 acres associated with 2,682 shares was
discontinued on June 1, 1997.

Before June 1, 1998, LAWMA anticipates acquiring 700 additional shares which are
associated with 498.8 acres of irrigated cropland. By June 1, LAWMA will own 3,382 shares
and dry-up will total 2,803.5 acres. LAWMA also will pursue the acquisition of 187 shares from
two shareholders at the end of the ditch which historically irrigated 195.2 acres. In total,
LAWMA expects to own 3,569 shares and to dry up 2,998.7 acres. See our memorandum
dated April 30, 1998 for details about the irrigated acreage.

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