WSP07209 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

However it is evident that apparent losses accompanying increased inflow are temporary losses. in part, and finally result in gains after chan- nel conditions are satisfied. This effect of temporary channel storage has not been given due credit by the Irrigation Administration. who are inclined to blame the old wide channel for excessive losses without allowing for gains from channel storage. Our graphs of water disposal analysis show a close synchronization of fluctuations with losses and gains; which is another proof of the necessity for furnishing and maintaining sui table water supplies for channel require- ments and natural ground water demands. thereby obviating the necessity fBr trying to meet excessive demands after it is too late and after the available supplies have been taken by Juniors. out-of -priori ty and not in accordance with proper delivery schedules. When mistakes like those of 1937 were made by allowing all upstream canals to take full appropriations and when Kearney was deprived of its prior appropriation; then. acting officials attempted to make explanations which did not satisfy the victims of such administration mistakes. The first delivery of Sutherland Storage waters in 1936 made a remarkable test run. when it started with a dry bed and kept' up diversions and reasonable losses, until the return channel storage finally registered substantial gains near the end of the run. This is still another proof of our previous claims. Evidence from lay witnesses was in good conformity with hydrographs of river flow over a long period of years to the effect that years ago the low water shortage came later than it does now. and then the supply of early autumn was better than now experienced. Which conditions were favorable to farmers of the lOwer valley who are now suffering from shortage of water all summer. The expert geological and ground water testimony was significant in proving our claims of small losses west of Kearney compared with large losses East of Kearney. It also showed conspicuously that the North and South Platte Valleys are "tight" and do not lose water by deep-percolation or seep- age under natural conditions. Channel depletion comes from diversions of Junior appropriators. Certain predictions by R. I. Meeker for future flow of the Platte river east of North Platte were based upon seepage from canals and reservoirs and power house waste or tail water which are predicted to make a continuous flow at all times. However. (if the prediction comes true) in the meantime it is urgently necessary to maintain established delivery schedules in accordance with legal priorities: hoping of course that more desirable channel conditions and possible adjustments will contribute beneficially. Nevertheless we must face the facts concerning depletion of water supplies previously noted. . r'9fr - 2 -