Guest Piece: An Obituary

Dear Editor,
A good irrigated farm was laid to rest, at the age of 63, on June 2, 2008, in Morgan County just five miles north of Wiggins, Colorado.
She was transformed from dry grassland to an irrigated farm by the determination and willpower of brave people trying to make a better life for themselves and the community.
With the knowledge that the addition of irrigation would make this farm a viable way to make a living, the first well was drilled in 1945. Pipelines were put in shortly thereafter to carry water to her crops for food and feed. That was the beginning of her irrigated life.
The farm was farmed by Pete and Leah Lauck for many years. With the investment backed by expectation of good soil and excellent water, Dave and Margey Knievel bought the farm in 1990. When the first well was drilled there were no restrictions on well drilling and the last two wells were put in with proper permits and the State of Colorado’s blessings. For many years these wells pumped unrestricted with no objections as did the wells of surface water users.
With a drought in full swing in 2002 and knee jerk reactions by Colorado legislators the farm began its slow death. 2003 brought more droughts and the demise of Ground Water Appropriators of the South Platte, the entity that replaced pumped water for over 30 years. With the drought still in place, 2004 brought some hope. Central Colorado Water Conservancy said it would augment her wells and with, of course, a large sum of money paid, she got to pump. That was the last year of pumping at her historical rate. With 2005 she was restricted to 40 percent of the normal water pumped and in 2006, with her crop planted, the State Engineer ordered her wells off for good.
With her wells shut off, electric service discountined and sprinklers removed, the farm has now come full circle back to dry land. Her productivity severely diminished, she can no longer carry the load of irrigated land taxes and helping the county prosper.
This farm was happiest producing 210+ bushel corn and 100+ bushel wheat. Her favorite thing was having the cows and calves on her corn stalks. She loved taking care of her owners and contributing to the health of her loving community.
The farm is survived by Dave, Margey, Melissa and Robbie Knievel and the memories of times past.
Sincerely,
Dave Knievel
Wiggins

Recharge projects impacted by NISP

Here’s all the mainstem recharge/augmentation projects that Glade Reservoir will impact… (was this considered in the impact analysis in the DEIS?)

“NISP will prevent agricultural transfers”

The hypocrisy of the District is truly unbelievable and mind boggling…

CCWCD Appeals

We missed this last week, but CCWCD filed its notice of appeal in the WAS case.

Denver Water has the trademark on water conservation

Literally.  Well, sort of.  When you think of water conservation, what do you think of for your landscaping?  Xeriscape.  But don’t use that term, because Denver Water has a registered trademark on it!

A little more on our NISP yields

Below is the same chart we presented earlier, but this time with the Kersey gauge flows superimpose.

Alan Curtis leaves Buchanan and Sperling

We forgot to report yesterday that Alan Curtis quit left Buchanan and Sperling.  This may have been in the works for a while, but it was confirmed yesterday as Alan was removed as attorney of record from all his pending cases.

NISP Yield 2000-2007 (updated)

The DEIS did not model yields past 1999.  So let’s assume that NISP was completed and operational in 2000.  How much water could we expect over the next 8 years?

Top rated illegal expansions on the South Platte

Our top five after the jump…

Preview: this weekend, our top rated illegal expansions on the South Platte

…just to get you excited!!…  Tune in Sunday for details.  (Yes, Boulder makes the list)