DWR_3408541

• Title: HYDROGEOLOGY AND WATER RESOURCES OF THE SOUTHERN HIGH PLAINS DESIGNATED GROUND WATER BASIN: PHASE 2 STUDY
• Author/Source: MCLAUGHLIN WATER ENGINEERS, LTD.
• Keywords: BACA AND PROWERS COUNTIES, SOUTHERN HIGH PLAINS GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, JOB NO. 99-02800300, HYDROGEOLOGY; BASIN DESIGNATION REPORT
• Document Type - Reference Library: Investigations and Studies
• Document Date: 1/1/2002
• Year: 2002
• Team/Office: Water Supply

5.0 ESTIMATE OF IRRIGATED LANDS AND RELATED WATER USE
5.1 IRRIGATED LANDS
Beck (1967) estimated that a total of 70,000 acres were irrigated from both ground and
surface water sources in 1966. Based upon records from the Baca, Las Animas and
Prowers County Assessors Office, MWE (1999) reported a total of 106,300 acres of
irrigated land within the District and a total of 128,500 acres within the Basin. The 2001
records provided by the Baca and Prowers County Assessors Offices (the counties
update acreage figures every other year) indicate there has been a slight reduction in
the reported number of irrigated acres from 1999 to 2001 as shown below in Table 5-1.
In Baca County, the irrigated acreage was reduced from approximately 90,601 acres in
1999/2000 to 88,332 acres in 2001. The combined acreage within the boundaries of the
District for both counties was reduced by 2,509 acres, from 106,302 acres in 1999/2000
to 103,793 acres in 2001. The irrigated acreage for both Baca and Prowers counties is
provided in Tables 5-3 and 5-4.
Table 5-1.
Comparison of Reported Irrigated Acreage in the Southern High Plains
Designated Ground Water Basin.
1999
2001
County
Sprinkler
Other
Total
Sprinkler
Other
Total
Baca
61,678
28,923
90,601
66,392
21,940
88,332
Prowers
6,170
9,531'
15,701
5,918
9,543'
15,461
Total:
67,848
38,454
106,302
72,310
31,483
103,793
Source: Irrigated acreage was provided by the County Assessor's Offices in Baca and Prowers Counties
Footnote 1. The Prowers County designation for "other" includes center pivot sprinklers that are towed
from one quarter to another quarter.
5.2 PRECIPITATION
The amount of precipitation received in the winter, early spring and through the growing
season can significantly affect the amount of irrigation water required to meet the
consumptive use needs of the crop. Precipitation received during the late fall and winter
season reduces the need to re -fill the soil profile through pre -irrigation. This moisture
also helps meet the water demands for crops during the subsequent growing season.
The amount of precipitation measured at the Plainsman Research Center (Center) near
Walsh from March to October in 1999, was 21.27 inches, including 3.75 inches in
August. During the same time period in 2000 only 14.28 inches, including 3.74 inches in
October, were received. For the same period in 2001, 15.24 inches, including 3.62
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99-028.003\Phase 2 Report\ SHP Irrigated