The Meeker herald., 1915-04-24
SATURDAY, APRIL u, 1918
or Interest to Water Users


The state engineer sends out the
following. which should be read care
county
AS is known, irrigation is one of
the IN ST essential features of the
present wealth of Colorado. In some
sections it is absolutely necessary to
have II water supply for the propoga-
ton of various farm crops.
In this section of the country the
people have already recognized this
fact rs evidenced by the construc-
ton of numerous large, ms well as
ture that has been overlooked is the
compliance with the state laws in re-
gard to headgates and rating fumes.
1t is essential to the equitable dis
tribution of water that suitable head
gates and measuring devices be in
stalled in the heads of the bitches, as
it is to apply water on the land in the
production of crops.
Rio Blauco county has for num-
Der of years received only n very
small amount of attention in the SUI
pervision of irrigation by the state
officials and the water commissioner
in that district is only called upon
| when there is immediate danger of
alteration in the distribution OF
water.
I
463. section |, the law specifically
states that the owner or owners of
any irrigation ditch, canal, flume or
reservoir in the state of Colorado,
taking water from any stream, shall
construct and maintain in good re-
pair, suitable headgate or headgates
and entertainments ut the hend of the
ditch, canal, flume or reservoir, and
also a proper measuring device which
| is designated by the state engineer
for the measurement of such water
as is diverted.
1t also desisnates the character OF
the structure of the headgate, to this
extent, that the frame work, timberS,
shall he not less than four inches
square, and the bottom, sides and
gate shall be II plank not less than
two inches in thickness. This also
applies to the rating or measuring
devices, however, the headgate or
measuring device may be construct
ed of other material of equal strength
and durability. Also that the state
engineer. division engineer or water
commissioner, after ten days pre-
vious notice in writing of an order to
install these headgates and rating
fumes. shall refuse t" deliver any
water to the said owner or owners
unless the hendgate or rating ilume,
or BOTH have been installed.
The owner or owners Of all bitches,
etc, shall he Liable for all damages
resulting from their neglect or refusal
to comply with this act and should
such owner or owners divert water
contrary to the orders of the state
water officials, they shall be guilty of
misdemeanor and upon conviction,
shall be fined not to exceed five hun
iation shall be considered as a sep
arate offeuse.
Irrigationists in this section do not
realize that the sooner the law is
complied with in these respects, the
sooner controversies over the distri-
button of water, between the various
bitches, will cease. This will elm
mate considerable legal proceedings
which everyone is in favor of avoid
ing if possible. The time has come
when more particular notice is being
taken to Rio Blanco county in this
respect because of the fact that people
are beginning to realize the impor-
lance of this section of the country
| to the state of Colorado.