The Delta independent., 1919-02-14
REPORT OF PROJECT MANAGER
ON UNcoMPAHoRE PROJECT

In the past my reports to the Water
Users Association have been hurriedly
read at the annual meeting when the
stockholders did not have time to con-
slider fully the data and conditions set
forth in the report. Several of the
project newspapers have expressed a
desire to publish the report before the
next annual meeting SO that it will
reach more of the water users at q
time when they can give 1t more
serious consideration than they have
been able to do in the past.
am dividing the report into four
parts: First, maintenance difficulties
and costs; second, water supply, in
cluding statistics as to the amount of
water diverted, delivered to the land
and return water; third. farm oper-
ations including a discussion of the
weather, crops, livestock and improve
ments; fourth. project needs, includ-
ing drainage. winter water and the
basis etc.
Maintenance
Maintenance Difficulties for
the maintenance work in the Gunni-
son tunnel, the South canal and the
Montrose and Delta slides. the season
was good one for the operation and
maintenance.
The routine maintenance work con-
sisted Of cutting brush from canal
banks, spading laterals, removing the
weeds after wind storms protecting
a. III ,, iob rA-
moving gravel near headworks of ca
nails. raising banks and replacing
structures.
In February a small amount of wat
er was being carried in the Ironstone
canal for domestic and stock use. This
caused slide to occur west OF Olathe.
which soon. grew so serious that II
became necessary to construct wood
en- nume $50 feet long. 30 IT wide and
It. high and cost approximately
$4,000.
The cleaning of the laterals prepar-
atory to the opening of the irrigation
season was completed during the last
part of March. On April 3rd. heavy
winds filled the laterals with weeds
making Il necessary to expend $4,000
to put them in condition for use.
During June and July considerable
trouble was encountered in operating
the High Mesa Siphon on account OF
air being carried into the siphon which
decreased the capacity and caused
pounding. An additional blow-off pipe
was installed and changes made in
the shape OF the intake so that the
amount OF air taken into the siphon
WAS decreased. Later trouble develop
ed with the metal lining below the
siphon. making II necessary to remove
a considerable section of the metal
nume and replace II with a wooden
flume.
On June 23rd. 3,-foot section OF
metal flume on the King Lateral Ex-
tension where II crosses Roatcap
Gulch. washed out
In July flood In the Loutsenhfzer
arroyo partially destroyed the flume
carrying the Garnet canal across this
arroyo.
During winter OF 191T-fS extensive
repairs we're made to the tunnel by
the construction of 101 concrete bays
to strengthen bulging side walls and
removal and replacement OF 349 lin
ear feet OF bulging sidewalks and re-
pairing OF 541 linear feet OF bulging
floor. The cost OF this work after
December 81, 1917. amounted to sia.-
1857. which. instead OF being added
to the amount TO be paid by the Wat
err Users Association in accordance
with the agreement OF May Z. 1918,
with the United States will be added
to the project cost In accordance with
the Director and Chief Engineers let
ter OF August 90. 1918. The tunnel is
now in excellent condition and the only
maintenance work OF any magnitude
that will he required for some time
"a the smoothing of the floor between
stations 1876 and 200.
Year Receipts Operation Ma
tutcnance Total Deficit