WSP08080

• File Number: 8443
• Description: Narrows Unit
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 5/2/1967
• Author: Woodward-Clyde Shera
• Title: Section II Special Investigation for the Coordinator of Natural Resources State of Colorado
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

I
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Hardin Ditch Company, etal, decided by the
Logan County District Court on March 25,

1905 (See Exhibit L).

.

The permanent injunctions issued in these three actions enjoined

,

the Water Commissioner in Water District No. 1 and his successors

and are still in effect. Copies are kept in the State Engineer's

office, although it is not clear whether copies have ever been

provided to the current Water Commissioners.

The "critical ditch" has been moving further upstream on the

South Platte River in recent years, by reason of increased pumping.

In the last few years it has reached as far upstream as the Weldon

Valley Ditch, which has its headgate near Masters, about halfway

between Greeley and Fort Morgan. Major ditches which are often

shut down by the calls of the Sterling No. 1 Ditch include the

Lower Platte and Beaver Canal (headgate located about 5 miles

downstream from Fort Morgan) and the upper Platte and Beaver Canal

(headgate located about 2 miles upstream from Fort Morgan).

Ralph OWens said that there has been friction for many years

between the Sterling Irrigation Company (owner of the Sterling

No. 1 Ditch) and other upstream water users. Partly because of

.

the calls by the senior Sterling No.1 Ditch, farmers under other

ditches have developed pumping plants to supplement their direct

flow priorities. This has been true of farmers under the Fort

Morgan Canal, the Weldon Valley Ditch, the upper Platte and Beaver

.

Canal, and the Lower Platte and Beaver Canal. Of these, the

.

farmers under the Weldon Valley Ditch probably have the poorest

pumps.

The people in the Sterling area, at the lower end of the

WOODWARD.CLYDE.SHERARD AND ASSOCIATES