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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Mr. Pop~ and Mr. Genova
Septembti!r 21, 1988
Page twdl

Examination of aerial photographs and discussions with Mr. Broyles indicate
that the water commissioner crop records are not reliable.

Therefore, a more complete record of crop distribution and irrigation
history was compiled based on analyses of aerial photographs, conversations
with Mr. Broyles. and the recent crop records. Attached as Supplemental Report
A is a brief history of Keesee Ditch operations for the study period based on
these sources. Table IV provides an annual crop distribution for the study
period.

~ Request for confirmation of land levelin~ and border irri~ation.

As discussed in the attached irrigation history, land leveling operations
were begun almost immediately after Mr. Broyles purchased the property in
1948. An aerial photograph taken in 1950 indicates that a majority of the
property; had been leveled by that time and border irrigation was in use. A
1957 aerial photo indicates leveling operations were essentially complete on
at least 1400 acres.

Following the 1965 flood, portions of the ditch system were realigned and
improved. and many of the fields re-leveled. Mr. Broyles indicates that this
work was completed within two years. A 1970 photograph indicates the new
ditch configuration in place. All available photographs for the study period
indicate level border to be the predominant irrigation method. The attached
affidavit of Mr. Earnest Bigelow confirms the land leveling and border
irrigation operations.

h Soil moisture filnlres need to be checked based .!ill soil surveys.

The available soil moisture capacity of 0.62 af/acre used in the analysis
was based on the soil types identified in the Bent County Soil Survey (SCS,
1971) and the available soil moisture capacities for these same soils as
listed in the Colorado Irrigation Guide (SCS, 1979) for a four-foot moisture
extraction depth. The various soil types, irrigated area percentages, and
available soil moisture depths. along with other soils properties used in the
analysis, are included in Table V.

~ Request for substantiation that 65% is ~ reasonable irri~ation efficiency
for the winter period.

Due to the questions raised concerning the 70 percent maximum irrigation
efficiency originally used in the analysis and the extent to which a single
efficiency value is applicable throughout the year, the evaluation of
irrigation efficiency was completely redone. A detailed description of this
analysis is included as Supplemental Report B. This analysis confirms that a
seasonal variation does exist and should be used in the water budget analysis.
Following are monthly maximum irrigation efficiency percentages as calculated
for the Keesee Ditch system: