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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and
These

Two main components of the seepage analysis were calculated independently
then combined to determine seepage under various rates of diversion.
two analysis components were:

1) Determination of a unit seepage rate based on soil types.

2) Determination of the average water surface area, or the length
and width of ditches and laterals in use, for a given diversion
rate.

Unit Seepa~e ~ Determination

For the estimation of a unit seepage rate for the Keesee Ditch, soils
information available from the Bent County Soil Survey (SCS, 1971) was
utilized to classify soils underlying the Keesee Ditch by soil texture.
Appropriate seepage rates for each soil type were then estimated based on the
average canal seepage rates included in the reference paper (Worstell, 1976,
Table 2). Because many of the Keesee soils did not fall clearly within the
general textural categories given in the paper, intermediate seepage values
were estimated based on the following assumptions:

The distribution of soil types determined for the irrigated
lands closely approximates the distribution of materials used in
ditch construction.

- Where an intermediate soil texture was given, the average
seepage rates for the major soil texture groups were used
clay loam rate = average of clay and loam rates).

of the
(i.e.

Where a thin surface soil was underlain by a thick
different texture, the subsoil was assumed dominant in
seepage. Otherwise, surface and subsoil textures were

subsoil of
determining
averaged.

Using the above assumptions and weighting the soil seepage rates by area,
overall average unit seepage rate of 0.685 ft/day was calculated for
Keesee Ditch delivery system. Table B-1 includes the individual soils
used in this determination.

an
the
data

Water Surface Area Determination

The Worstell seepage calculation method uses the surface area of water in
the canal as an approximation of the area through which vertical seepage
occurs beneath the canal. For the Keesee Ditch, water surface area estimates
were made for a range of ditch diversions and ditch operations.

The extent of ditch system in use for a particular diversion rate was
estimated based on discussions with Mr. Broyles and measurements obtained from
aerial photographs and topographic maps. Mr. Broyles indicated that one field
was irrigated for every 3 to 4 cfs of diversions. For a diversion of 13.5
cfs, water would have been delivered using two of the three main laterals for
irrigation of a total of three or four fields. Mr. Broyles also indicated that
the ditch system was designed for a 2.5 foot ditch bottom and that the water

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