The Delta independent., 1921-10-28
REPORT ON THE WATER
SUPPLY OF DELTA, COLORADO

mated amount of 20 cubic feet pc,
second.
Overflow from the pipe, togethe,
with water that had not been diverted
thereto, was more marked in the vi
cinity of the upper end of the line. ?
conservative estimate placing the
amount at so cubic feet per second
The estimated total amount of wa
ter available on the Sth inst. was
accordingly, 2 cubic feet per second
This date is within the period OF
minimum stream run-off. In view
however, of the abnormal precipita.
tion of the past season it would be
unwise to accept the present run-off
as normal in making estimates of
supply. For the latter purpose
should consider allowances of / cubic
feet per second as minimum and
2.25 cubic feet per second. or more, as
a maximum draft, conservative.
Dirty George Supply
For the purposes of this investiga-
ton the Dirty George creek supply
will be considered as 40 inches, or
1.04 cubic feet per second of water,
which is the amount owned by the
city in that creek During the maxi.
mum run-off, and at other times when
the flow passing the intake is not
being utilized for irrigation by other
appropriations, the city could doubt,
less make larger draft if necessary.
The altitude of the intake is 9,2S5
feet. The length of the pipe to its
junction with Dough Spoon is approx,
mately 1872 miles. The altitude OF
the junction box is 5,455 feet, the
total fall in the line being $3.50 feet
At one point the line is over 400 feet
above a straight hydraulic grade line
The irregularity of the profile is
marked, as might be expected, on a
direct route through such precipit
Gus country.
The line consists of 6-inch, 7-inch
and S-inch Mathesen joint steel pipe
These figures are outside diameters
the corresponding internal diameters
being 5.72 inches, go inches ant
| 7.6S inches. The capacity, under the
grades indicated by the profile will
vary from about 15 cubic feet pei
second to 2.5 cubic feet per second
the former being the governing ca
pacity of the line. Operation of the
pipe is not entirely satisfactory, and
it is very doubtful If it works up to
the minimum estimated capacity un
interruptedly. There is undoubtedly
great deal of obstruction to free
flow by air, due to the broken hydrau
lie gradients, and the high points in
the line.
Operation could be greatly i'm
proved by the introduction of small
concrete reservoirs or tanks at the
points of change of the hydraulic
gradients, and these could be located
so as to materially reduce the head
on large portion of the line.
Many leaky joints were observed ir
this line. On the lower end, in the
adobe hill country, the pipe is sup
ported across many dry" washes or
trestles often resting on the bed o.
the channel. Following a cloudburst
these might easily be undermined ant
washed out, leaving the pipe un
supported. Many of these gullies ol
watercourses are deep and narrow
and the longer ones show evidences
Of considerable discharge of f1oot
water. They invariably offer goot
opportunity for overhead support o.
the pipe by means of cheap, light
wooden truss. Such support woult
minimize the danger from the "nn
usual freshet.
On the 10th inst. the flow OF thii
pipe did not exceed rs c. F. s.
Combined Supplies
The estimated combined supplies
on minimum basis, are as follows
Dough Spoon C s=448.8 GPM=
646,272 CPD.
Dirty George -1.04 C I s==466.7 GPM=
762,048 CPD.
Totals c I s=915.5 GPM=
,1,31s,320 CPD.
The two pipe lines flowing to theil
maximum estimated capacities woult
discharge 375 C. +. ST. $50 GPM=2,
423,520 gallons per day.
Population and Water Consumption
The population of Delta is 5000
and has shown an increase Of 30 PEI
cent in the last decade. Applying thu
same rate of increase to futur,
growth, the population in 1890 an,
1910 would be, in round numbers
1000 and 5000, respectively.
On the basis OF the estimated mini
mum supply of water, there are avail
able 439 gallons per capita per da!
for the present population. and 32'
gallons, and 263 gallons, similarity
for the populations OF 1890 and 1910
respectively. In these figures. unde
proper conservancy and economical
use, there is sufficient water for al
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