Here's an article from the Pueblo Chieftain, dealing with the issue of more efficient means for irrigation, and the potential for increased consumptive use of water on the Arkansas River. From the article, "Individual farmers may benefit from more-efficient farming methods such as center-pivot sprinklers, but the legal implications are about as clear as ditch water. About 100 people, mostly farmers, gathered at Lamar Community College Thursday to discuss pivots, as well as the problem of tamarisk, or salt cedar. Fort Lyon Canal attorney John S. Lefferdink and Division 2 Water Engineer Steve Witte reviewed how a trend toward more-efficient farming methods might affect the Arkansas River Compact, a 1949 agreement between Kansas and Colorado that has been embroiled in a Supreme Court case for the past 21 years...
"Lefferdink said Witte has faced some criticism from farmers about his concerns that sprinklers may increase consumptive use, the amount of water actually used by crops, and reduce return flows to downstream users. But he reminded farmers that the state engineer's office also drew criticism in the past for allowing so many wells to be drilled in the Arkansas Valley. Kansas prevailed on the issue of overpumping by wells in the lawsuit filed in 1985...
"Witte said there are ways to head off a showdown over the issue. Irrigators can show the state engineer consumptive use has not decreased, augment uses to maintain historic flows or go to court to get a decree showing no other water rights have been injured. If a pond is built at the head of a ditch, gauges can measure the tailwater coming out of the ditch, showing no net loss, Witte said...
"Earlier in the meeting, Mike Carrigan of BASF explained the herbicide manufacturer's approach to eradicating tamarisk. He said the company's product has successfully been used to wipe out broad reaches of tamarisk in New Mexico and Texas with aerial spraying...
"In Colorado, a small area near the south rim of the Royal Gorge in Fremont County was similarly sprayed. At least 12,000 acres are covered with tamarisk along the Arkansas River to John Martin Dam. A single tamarisk plant can consume up to 200 gallons of water a day, and an acre of the invasive plant, also called salt cedar, can use 7.7 acre-feet in a year. The question is whether farmers have incentives to control the plant. Lefferdink referred to a 1974 Supreme Court case involving Harvey Phelps of Pueblo that denied the right to claim water salvaged by killing tamarisks. It's up to lawmakers to change the law, he added...
"Fort Lyon Canal President Dale Mauch said farmers have to get serious about controlling tamarisk, referring to a 2003 state executive order by Gov. Bill Owens authorizing state agencies to work toward eradication. He suggested purchasing a helicopter to spray large areas and organizing eradication efforts by counties or canal companies."
Category: Colorado Water
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