WSP07488

• File Number: 8111.805
• Description: Arkansas River Compact Administration - Keesee Ditch
• Basin: Arkansas
• Date: 1/1/1986
• Author: HRS Engineering
• Title: Keesee Ditch Change of Water Rights Technical Information Request Responses
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT A

KEESEE DITCH IRRIGATION HISTORY

Jake Broyles purchased the Keesee Ditch and associated irrigated lands on
June 8, 1948. During the fall and winter of 1948 1949, Mr. Broyles
upgraded the ditch system, installed two drainage ditches, and commenced
engineering work on leveling the irrigated land. In 1949, the actual land
leveling o~erations and installation of border irrigation were begun. An
aerialphotpgraph taken in September, 1950 indicates a total of approximately
1,555 acres'developed for irrigation, with approximately 1,472 acres actively
irrigated in that year. The majority of irrigated land appears to have been
leveled and under border irrigation in 1950.

Water pommissioner records for the period of 1947 through 1955 indicate a
total of between 2,200 and 2,400 acres irrigated for the Keesee Ditch. These
totals differ significantly from the acreage indicated by aerial photographs
and Mr. Broyles' recollection. According to Mr. Broyles, these acreage totals
more closely approximate the total acreage owned under the Keesee Ditch and
not the actual irrigated area, which Mr. Broyles recalls was about 1,500 acres
when he purchased the ditch. An explanation of this discrepancy may be
indicated by the crop distribution recorded by the water commissioner for
1950, the last year for which these records are available. The reported
acreages were as follows:

Keesee Ditch
1950 Water Commissioner Record
Crop Distribution in Acres

Natural
Alfalfa Clover Grass Forage

Sugar
Cereals Beets

Corn Onions

127 195 584 100

923 300

90 60

Total = 2379

According to Mr. Broyles, the additional acreage is most likely non-irrigated
land included under the natural grass and forage acreages, and perhaps also
under cereals. The remaining crop acreages correspond well with his
recollection of the crop distribution in 1950. Because of the uncertainty
reflected in the water commissioner acreage totals and the absence of specific
crop acreage records for the period of 1951 through 1978, crop acreage
estimates for intervening years were based on Mr. Broyles' recollection and
available aerial photographs. Table A-I includes crop distribution estimates
for the entire study period of 1950 through 1987. Years in which aerial
photographs'were examined are also indicated.