The Delta independent., 1922-08-11
REPORT FOR UNcoMPAHGRE
PROJECT JULY, 1922


Work was continued on the exca-
vation and installation of structures
on several of the small laterals that
have been taken over for operation
by the Service.
The uncollected water rentals due
from the season 1921 on July 81.
amounted to approximately $500.
The total cash collections to July 81
on account of water rentals for the
season 1922 amounted to SAG, ,9S6.04.
The demand for irrigation water
during the month was particularly
heavy due to the unusual hot and dry
weather which prevailed during the
entire month. The Gunnison Tunnel
was shut down on July 1 and in or
der to permit of the inspection of the
concrete Innings in the Gunnison Tun-
mel and along the South Canal. AS
a result of the inspection, more or
less patching of cracks and holes
along the canal was accomplished.
and 25 feet of additional floor was
placed il the section between Drops
and of the Seven-Drop section. A
| flow OF 400 C. I. 8. was turned back
into the Tunnel on July 3. This flow
was increased to 500 feet on July 4,
to 900 feet on July 5. to 500 feet on
July 6, and to 900 feet to $50 feet on
July Z.
The flow thru the Tunnel was main.
/ tanned at from 900 to $50 feet, de-
pending upon the stage of the Gunni-
son River until July 2sth, at which
time failure was noted of part of the
concrete wall section on the lower
side OF the canal at NJ. p. 6.05. at
which time the Tunnel was shut down
and remained closed during the re-
mainder of the month. 1t was found
THAT hole had been washed in the
underlying shale to an average depth
Of eight feet. In order to accom-
plish the repair work it was neces-
sary to haul 21O loads of rock to fill
up the hole in the floor and under the
right side wall This work was COM
pleted Monday morning and the plac-
ing OF the concrete work was begun
that afternoon. The concrete work
was completed on August l, and the
Tunnel gates were again opened on
the morning of August End. Seventy
cubic yards of concrete were placed
in completing the repair work.
No difficulties except for the items
enumerated above were experienced
in maintaining a head in the project
canals and laterals. The flow OF the
Uncompahgre River gradually de-
creased until during the latter part of
the month only sufficient water was
available in the river itself to supply
priorities Nos. up to "a. inclusive. On
account of the lack of rain and the
hot weather which prevailed. the flow
OF the Uncompahgre and Gunnison
rivers was exceptionally clear, and as
a result much loss resulted on ac-
count OF evaporation and seepage.
The flow available during the latter
one half OF the month was only sum-
cient to furnish an $3.50 head under
/ rotation plan of about six days on
with one day off.
The p. & H. dragline completed
the repairs OF the Ashenfelter hill
which work was accomplished for the
County OF Montrose. The machine
was then moved 10 open up a drain
age channel from Dolores Creek to
Happy Canon Creek. This work Is
also being accomplished for the Coun.
ty.
The mean temperature during the
month was 72.5 degrees which was
2.3 degrees above normal for a per-
iod OF 33 years. The maximum tenn
perature was 9S degrees on the 18th
and 10th, and the minimum SO de-
prees on the 11th and 23rd The
greatest daily range was AZ degrees
on the d3th. The dry weather which
has continued since April 26 prevail
ed during the month. The total pre-
cipitation during the months of May.
June and July OF this year has been
less than that for the past twelve
years, with the exception Of 1913. A
total precipitation of .S7 OF an inch
fell on three days. There were %
clear days. partly cloudy and 3
cloudy days.-L. J. Foster. Project
Manager.