Report of Field Examination: Western Canal Watershed

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REPORT OF FIELD EXAMINATION Western Canal Watershed Weld County, Colorado A field reconnaissance of the Western Mutual Ditch Company system was made December 6, 1967. This is the agricultural water management portion of the Western Canal Watershed. Those on the field examination were; E. J. Fritzler, President, Western Mutual Ditch Company Barry Jerke, Director, Western Mutual Ditch Company 0. W. Colgate, Work Unit Conservationist, Fort Lupton K. L. Carson, Soil Conservation Service, Denver E. L. Ballard, Soil Conservation Service, Denver E. C. King, Soil Conservation Service, Denver J. G. Odell, Soil Conservation Service, Denver A project comprising watershed land treatment and rehabilitation of the canal system appears to be feasible under the provisions of P.L. 566. Other than the South Platte River there are only minor flood problems in the area. If investigations prove the project to be feasible, the Federal cost sharing for project measures will be less than $250,000. This size project can be approved "administratively" without the approval of the Agricultural or Public Works Committees of Congress. Information available for review during the examination was the private en- gineering report of Earl F. Phipps on the feasibility of rehabilitation.and lining, Farm Water Utilization Study for 1947 -1961 made by the USBR for the Narrows Dam and the application from the Board of Directors. From the above information and the field reconnaissance of the system and watershed area, it appears that the following information will need to be de- veloped during preliminary investigations to determine present day costs and benefits. 1. Preliminary plans and cost estimates for the realignment and lining of the 4.4 miles of canal as proposed by the D itch C ompany. a. Determining water table and foundation conditions along the sec- tion to be lined. b. Verification of seepage losses of 29 - 30% as determined by Mr. Phipps. 2. Economic need for the proposed works. a. Adequacy of present water supply from direct diversion and pump- ing. b. The cost of water supplied by direct diversion and pumping.