BOARD02045

• Board Meeting Date: 9/13/2005
• Description: CF Section - New Loans - High Line Canal Company - Smith Arroyo Siphon Replacement Project
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

l' STATE OF COLORADO

e Colorado Water Conservation Board

Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street, Room 721
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
www.cwcb.state.co.u5

MEMORANDUM

Bill Owens
Governor

TO:

FROM:

Colorado Water Conservation Board Members

Kirk Russell, P.E. V.1..;;;~ .JA~ /'
Mike Serlet, P.E., Chief 7V
Water Supply Planning and Finance Section

Russell George
Executive Director

Rod Kuharich
eweB Director

DATE:

Rick Brown
Acting Deputy
Director

September 6, 2005

SUBJECT: Agenda Item 12c, September 13-14, 2005 Board Meeting
Water Supply Planning and Finance Section - New Loans
High Line Canal Company - Smith Arroyo Siphon Replacement Project

e Introduction

The High Line Canal Company (Company) is applying for a loan from the Colorado Water
Conservation Board in the amount of $454,000 for the Smith Arroyo Siphon Replacement Project
(Project). The Siphon is located on the Rocky Ford High Line Canal (Canal). The Canal is owned
and operated by the Company for agricultural irrigation. The Canal is located in southeastern
Colorado along the Arkansas River east of Pueblo. The Project will replace an existing siphon that
crosses the Smith Hollow drainageway approximately 3.5 miles southwest of Manzanola in Otero
County. The Project is expected to cost $505,000 and be constructed this winter. See attached
Project Data Sheet for a location map and a project summary.

Backqround

The 87 -mile Rocky Ford High Line Canal begins at the diversion structure on the south bank of the
Arkansas River east of Pueblo near Boone, Colorado and ends south of Rocky Ford. The Canal is
owned and operated by the Company for the benefit of the shareholders by providing irrigation
water for the production of crops such as corn, wheat, alfalfa, hay, and vegetable crops. The Canal
carries a surface decree of 501 cfs at the upper end and about 334 cfs at the Project location
approximately 1/2 of its length below the diversion structure. The siphon to be replaced crosses
Smith Hollow drainageway and is accessed by County Road 9 off of US 50, west of Manzanola.

.

In 1999, the Company had the siphon inspected and found the wood stave siphon pipeline severely
deteriorated. The Company is concerned about the potential impact to the downstream
shareholders in the event of a pipeline collapse. Approximately 15,000 acres of farmland are
located below the siphon and would be severely impacted by the inability to receive the irrigation
water.

Flood Protection. Water Supply Planning and Finance. Stream and Lake Protection
Water Supply Protection. Conservation and Drought Planning