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I-8 <br />Most of the irrigation systems derive their supply from the <br />Michigan River directly. These systems are summarized on <br />Table I-3 which Lists ditch name, estimated irrigated area <br />and maximum irrigation height above source. Many of these <br />systems are significantly larger than the ones within the <br />Canadian River Basin. <br />Nine irrigation systems derived their supplies from tribu- <br />taries of the Michigan River. Four of these are located on <br />Owl Creek, with a 23.8 square mile tributary area. They <br />include the Orb, Owl, Troy, Lowland, Endomile and Carden <br />Dagle Ditches. The Owl Creek Basin's headwater extends to Owl <br />Mountain, with a peak elevation of 10,240 feet. It is <br />believed that Owl Creek has a reasonably adequate water <br />supply. The Stemler Ditch and the Sales Ditch No. 2 divert <br />from Sales Creek, which has a 4.8 square mile tributary area <br />• and a peak elevation of 9,600 feet. The two ditches rely on <br />imported water from the Canadian and Michigan Rivers, <br />according to the District 47 Water Commissioner. The Stemler <br />Ditch relies on water imported from the Michigan River <br />through the Squibob Ditch, and on irrigation return flow from <br />the Sales Ditch No. 2. The Sales Ditch No. 2 actually diverts <br />and imports Canadian River water. It also imports Michigan <br />River water, imported to the Canadian River through the Sales <br />Ditch. The Georgia Ditch has a decree for water from Peterson <br />Creek. It exports the water to irrigate an estimated 190 <br />acres located 7.7 miles from Peterson Creek. Characteristics <br />of these systems are given in Table I-4. <br />Regional Irrigation Evaluation <br />Several indices were used for evaluation of regional irriga- <br />tion practices. These included drainage basin area, maximum <br />• <br />Leonard Rice Consulting Water Engineers. Inc. <br />